I'm sure some of you people remember me from my first 3 KH fics. It's been about a year since I finished my KH2 one, and I've spent the time between now and then working on two massive epics. One is a fic that has no place here, but the other is this one. I figured it's about time I post it here, now that I have some good material and all. SO, without further waiting, here we go. ------ Disclaimer: KH Series is copyrighted to Sqaure and Disney, Christie/Kia/Infinity/The Crest Locks, etc. are mine. Master Chief/Halo is the property of Bungie inc. Everything else will be edited as needed. ------- --- Radient Garden, July 2009 ---- If one looked out across the world of Radient Garden, they would see something not so peaceful. No, not the Heartless. Homework. "Darnit..." Sora ran a hand through his hair, chewing on his pencil. Almost 2 years spent fighting the Heartless, and now they wanted him to do this stuff? What use did Algebra have in the worlds anyway? His cousin, Christie, spared Sora a look from her place across the picnic table, before returning to her own work. Across the square, Aerith was teaching Kairi white Magic, while Riku and Zack were talking about goodness knew what. More sounds of a pencil being chewed on, and Christie rolled her eyes. "Gimme that." She took the pencil from Sora's hand, marking an "X" on the current problem. That was thier little way of telling Leon they'd been unable to solve the problem and needed some help with it. And since it had been Sora's last problem, he leapt from his seat on the table with a sigh. "Done." Christie rolled her eyes as she finished her own problems, shutting her book. Suddenly, everyone in the park looked up to the sky as ships flew overhead, blotting out the sun. Christie frowned. "Esthar ships? What are they doing here?" "Laguna's coming." Christie turned, whirling on her heel to face her older brother, Leon. "What?" Leon nodded, rubbing his face with one hand. "He'll be here by the end of the day." Christie cursed under her breath, and Sora frowned in confusion. "Who's Laguna?" Christie shoved her hands into her vest pockets, storming from the park. Leon shook his head as Riku walked after his sister, and the scarred man turned to face his cousin. "Laguna is our father. He left when Chris was just a baby. I think she's always held that against him. I know I do." ----- I knew Riku was following me, and I slowed my pace a little. He caught up, panting. "Chris, what's the matter?" "My father's here. In this town." I ran both hands through my hair, screaming through my teeth. I did NOT want to face that man again. Never again. Riku put his hand on my shoulder, squeezing it lightly. I put one hand over his own, taking a deep breath as Leon caught up with us. "He's already made landfall at the Harbor. And since I've been elected Governer of this place," He glared at Riku and I, making us smirk up at him. He really had that one coming. I crossed my arms, understanding. "You and I are going to greet dear old "Dad", right?" Leon nodded, and I sighed. As Nii-san began to walk towards the Harbor, I turned to Riku. "Go wait back at the house with Sora. This could take a while." He nodded, giving me a quick kiss on the cheek before limping away. I ran after my brother, and we entered the Harbor just as Laguna's ship touched down. Before the hatch opened, I had time to read the name and classification of the ship. E. R. S. Ragnarok "Well, look who's here! If it isn't my kids!" Nii-san shook his head, crossing his arms as Laguna strolled down the hatch at an easy pace. His dark brown hair had been gathered in a loose ponytail at the nape of his neck, and the breeze that suddenly kicked up toyed with all of us. Laguna's smile was just like in the pictures, all white shiny teeth. "Christina, Squall! How have you two been? No hug for your old man?" Leon looked away, and I crossed my arms and huffed. Laguna didn't seem phased. "No? Oh well, you'll come around." He turned back to the ship, snapping his fingers. "Kuja, come and meet my family!" "Yes, my Lord." I shuddered. That voice... Nii-san tensed as Kuja came down the ramp. Silver hair flowed down the man's back, with several "feathers" sticking out at the top of his head. The dark violet top and pants seemed normal enough, but when paired with the skirtish thing he was wearing on top of it, Kuja was an odd sight to be seen. He bowed to Leon, before capturing one of my hands in both of his. "An honor to meet the children of Lord Laguna." He placed his lips on my knuckles, and I slapped him. Hard. He stared, lightly rubbing his cheek as Nii-san placed himself in front of me. In Radient Garden custom, kissing someone on the knuckles was a proposal. Laguna knew this, and had probably taught this to Kuja. Nii-san glared. "I'd thank you to keep your hands off my sister." Laguna raised his hands in a placating gesture, trying to diffuse the situation. "Now, now, Squall. Settle down. Kuja didn't mean anything by that, I haven't had the time to teach him HomeWorld customs yet." Nii-san glared at our "father", but Kuja backed off to give the angry man his space. Laguna ran a hand through his hair as I redid my ponytail. We were in for a long night. --- It was several hours later, almost midnight, when we escorted Laguna and Kuja to an Inn for the night. Hands in my vest pockets, I walked two paces behind Nii-san as I tried to process all that had happened in the last 8 hours. Now that Nii-san was married and I was 19, he wanted back in our lives. Kuja's "proposal" was his way of trying to pull me into his grasp, and with me, Nii-san. It was an underhanded scheme, just like before. I stopped, making Nii-san look back at me. "Chris?" I shook my head, jogging to catch up. Nii-san swung his arm around my shoulders, and we continued the walk back home. Just when we arrived at the front door, the sound of breaking glass from within startled us both. Nii-san swung the door open, and I bolted up the stairs at the sound of a thump from Sora's room at the top of the staircase. I tried to open the door, but it was locked from within. I pounded on the wood as Nii-san took the stairs two at a time. "Sora! Open the door!" More thumps were heard from within, along with a cry of pain from Sora, and Nii-san pushed me back as he kicked down the door. A flash of violet and silver vanished out the broken window, leaving Sora, bleeding from a deep gash on his side, clinging to his dresser as he panted for breath. Nii-san and I ran forward, catching Sora as he began to fall forward when one of his legs gave out. "Easy, Sora. Chris, get downstairs and get the hot water running!" I nodded, taking the stairs three at a time and bolting for the kitchen as Nii-san carried Sora downstairs. The front door was swung open just as the water started to steam, and Kairi ran to Sora's side as Nii-san set him down on the couch. She clutched at his hand, and I looked up to see Aerith, Zack, and Riku waiting in the door. As Kairi and Nii-san cleaned Sora up, Riku walked over. "What happened?" I shook my head, unsure. "I don't know. We just got back from talking to Laguna. We heard glass breaking, and then Sora must have hit the floor. He was fighting with someone, but we don't know who." I looked at Kairi as Sora's breathing evened out, then looked back to Riku in confusion. "You guys live halfway down the street. How did you know something was up?" Aerith, from her place in Zack's arms, gestured to Kairi. "She woke up and ran from the house, we followed after her." Aerith untangled herself from her boyfriend, heading for the kitchen. "Well, we'll be up for a while. Who wants tea?" Zack's hand went up, and Aerith nodded. When she vanished into the kitchen, Zack ran a hand through his hair. "This is nuts. Sure, Sora's made a lot of people made at him, but not like this..." Riku sighed through his nose, and we all moved to various places in the sitting area to wait for Sora's awakening. It wasn't long before he did wake up, looking really spooked. Kairi's arms wrapped around his shoulders seemed to calm him down, and he didn't notice Nii-san slap a bandage on the gash cutting his side open. Riku leaned forward from his place beside me on the smaller couch. "What happened?" Sora frowned, running a hand through his hair. "I don't know. I woke up when my window broke and saw this guy standing at the side of my bed. He had a knife in his hand, and almost stabbed me." Sora shuddered here, and Kairi tightened her grip on him. Nii-san looked up at the staircase, either amazed that Yuffie had slept through this racket or worried that something had happened to her. Aerith gave him a little push, and then turned to Sora as Nii-san headed upstairs. "What did this man look like?" Sora pursed his lips in thought. "A lot like Riku. I know it wasn't him, but this guy had silver hair, too. I think he had a run-in with a bird, though. He had feathers stuck to his forehead." It was starting to make a whole lot of sense. I put my head in my hands, leaning forward. "Kuja." I could feel just about everyone staring at me, and I looked back up. "Kuja is Laguna's aide. And I bet you anything that Laguna ordered the hit on Sora just now." Sora blinked, then sagged back against the couch. "No way...he's our own flesh and blood, why would he...why would he try to have me killed?" I shook my head, rubbing my eyes. "I don't know, Sora. I just don't know." ---- We all slept where we'd sat down. It was nearing sundown when I woke up again, smiling as I untangled myself from Riku. Tugging on a jacket, I left the house after leaving a note for the others if they awoke while I was gone. My feet led me to the Bailey, where I hopped onto a small ledge. I brought my knees to my chest, staring out across the Great Maw towards Villians Vale and the Wastelands beyond it. "Hey, Silver." I waved. Only one person called me that here. "Hey, Xem." Evan smiled, leaning on the ledge and following my gaze towards the setting sun. We stayed there in comfortable silence for a while, still close friends even after all these years. After a moment, Evan stood up straight. "Remember Halo?" I nodded, smiling widely. "Hard to forget. Those were some of the best months of my life, helping you with Iris. Why do you ask?" Evan shook his head, frowning. "It's been at the front of my mind for a while now. I dunno why." I shrugged, looking up at the dusk sky, where stars were beginning to appear. "Maybe becuase Halo is out there, somewhere. Every star is a world, remember? Maybe some of those stars are thier worlds." Evan nodded, focusing on one star in particular. I followed his gaze, then shook my head with a smile as I hopped from the ledge. Before we could leave the Bailey, a distant rumble of thunder made us both turn around. Could it be? We both raced to the ledge, staring in shock as a large grey object made it's descent to the Wastelands. The cloud of dust it kicked up could be seen from the town, and Evan and I shared a look. He spoke up first. "You don't think...no, it couldn't be...here?" I shrugged, already running for Town. "Anything's possible! Get to the harbor!" He nodded, dashing past me as I re-entered the house. I ran smack into Zack's chest, and he caught me before I hit the ground. "Whoa! What's the rush, Chrissy?" I shook my head, running for the stairs. "No time! Get Sora and Riku ready to go!" I stopped midway to the second floor. I grabbed the banister, calling down to Zack. "And get Aerith! We might need a healer!" Zack stared, then nodded. He vanished from my sight to do what I'd asked, and I bolted up the rest of the stairs. Nii-san was already halfway out his door, and he nodded to me. "Saw it from here. I'll head to the Harbor." He ran down the stairs, with me directly behind him. Sora and Riku were waiting at the door, my cousin already re-dressed and bandaged. Aerith and Zack came from the kitchen as Nii-san bolted out the door, and the five of us ran after him. Zack stayed a few paces back with Riku, but we still made it in time to avoid Laguna and Kuja. Nii-san and Evan had already got Infinity ready to take to the sky by the time we clambered on board, the hatch was open and waiting. We climbed onto the ship, and took off. I called up an Holographic map of the Planet, calling Sora, Riku, and Evan forward. Focusing on the Wastelands, I tapped the area where the ship had crashed. "To the south of Radient Garden is a desert. It's called the Wasteland becuase nothing can grow out there, not even cactus. It's just dry sand. Radient Garden is protected from the sandstorms by the cliffs surrounding the southern end of the city, which is why we get so much rain from the northern end of the World." Riku frowned, crossing his arms. "So what happens if a ship crashes out there?" Aerith came over. "Most often, if the ship had a crew, a rescue mission was launched. But if it's an auto-ship, for research or collection of samples, it's left to rot. The Wastelands are known for the howling wind in the metal that's been left behind." Sora shuddered a little, and Infinity appeared beside me. "We're half an hour from the crash site, and I do believe that a geography lesson is in order." I nodded, backing out the Wastelands Hologram and getting the entire Planet into view. "This is our world, Bastion. On Bastion, there are 4 continents. To the east is Gaia, where Zack, Cloud, and Aerith are from. To the west is Terra, where Kuja and Zidane Tribal are from." Riku nodded, remembering Zidane from Twilight Town. Sora shoved his hands into his pockets. "What about South and North?" I nodded, tapping the Southern Continent. "South of us is Ivalice, but they keep mostly to themselves." Nii-san rolled his eyes, leaning against the wall. "Which is a good thing. They've got way to many wars for us to get involved in all the time." I shook my head, swaying a little as we broke through a sandstorm. I focused the map on the continent with Radient Garden on it, and the boys leaned in. "And to the north is us. The Garden Continent. Not a word, Sora." He stopped snickering and backed away from the table. I shook my head. "Radient Garden is at the southern end of the Continent, seperated from the sea by the Wastelands. To the northeast of us is Galbadia Garden, where most military training takes place. Northwest of them is Trabia Garden, an industrial zone where weapons and vehicles are produced. South west of Trabia is Balamb Garden, a farming/residential zone. And at the center of all four Gardens is Esthar, the Medical and Scientific zone." The Holo-Map faded away, leaving us standing around the small table as we crossed the desert. Sora and Riku talked to one another about something, and I walked towards one of the portside windows. Evan walked up beside me, and we shared a look as Infinity landed. Zack, Riku, and Nii-san agreed to stay behind incase we needed to make a quick getaway, leaving Evan, Sora, Aerith and I to make the quick trek to the downed ship. Both Evan and I stared, wide eyed, as we came upon the wreckage. This was definetly the ship we'd thought it was. Evan climbed on board first, and called out to us. "Silver! You'd better get up here!" Before Sora could even ask who Silver was, I was climbing in after my friend. My shoes crunched over ice and broken glass, and I cursed as all three empty cryo-pods glared back at me. Two were still intact, but the other one, the one that Chief had been using...had been broken from within. He'd busted the door down, and could be anywhere within this ship. I could hear Sora and Aerith climb aboard as I closed my eyes, concentrating on the one sound that I needed to hear. Wait for it...there! I spun around, tossing one dagger and glancing off of the mans shields. Evan brought his shortstaff to bear as Chief faded back into focus, and we all stared eachother down for a few tense moments before Aerith got involved. She took a few steps forward before Sora could grab her. "Easy, there's no need to fight us. We're here to help you." With his visor in the way, I couldn't tell if he was glaring at her, or thinking about something. But he suddenly nodded, lowering his gun. I dismissed my daggers, and Sora lazily threw the Oathkeeper over his shoulders as Evan replaced his short staff on his back. For the moment, we were all allies. Of course, how long that would last had yet to be seen. I kept my eyes on the gun in Chief's hand as Evan walked a few steps forward while Aerith backed away. Good idea. Never corner the man with a gun. Specially this one. Kia, shush. Ok, fine. Don't take my help. I sighed through my nose, before whirling on the entrance to the Dawn as sand crunched under someone's foot. Sora backed away a step, holding his side as Kuja and Laguna got on board the wreckage. Aerith placed herself between Sora and Kuja, while I stiffened as my so called father took a step closer to Chief. "Let me be the first to welcome you to Radient Garden. Now, let's get you cleaned up." On the surface, Laguna would have sounded like a concerned leader. But the look in his eyes, that was something to worry about. It was a lust for power, and he knew a good soldier when he saw one. I got between him and Chief, arms crossed over my chest. "This man has just survived a crash that would have killed anyone else. First place he's going is to Merlin's to get healed up. Back away, Laguna." He stared at me, before raising his hands and backing away. "Sure, sure. Get him healed up, don't let me stop you. Kuja, let them through." Aerith kept Sora close as we left, since we had to walk past Kuja to get back to Infinity. As the hatch of my ship closed behind us, I could swear I saw Laguna glaring at us. And to be honest, that really scared me. ---- Back at Merlin's place, the old Wizard and Aerith had Chief backed into a corner, trying to get him out his armor to see if he was hurt. Evan clung to the back of one of Merlin's chairs, trying to keep from laughing out loud. I just shook my head, turning to Merlin. "Can't you just scan him? I dun think we're gonna get him out of that armor anytime soon." Merlin...pouted...for lack of a better term, before raising his wand and muttering some words. Chief flashed green for a moment, and Merlin gave a satisfied sigh as he and Aerith walked away. "Clean bill of health, m'boy. You're free to go, if you want." Evan and I shared a look, before Evan turned to face Chief. I gave the man a look over, before nodding to myself. He was still the same as when Halo 3 had ended. Standing at almost 7 feet tall while still in his armor, Master Chief Petty Officer John-117 was a sight to behold. Taken from his parents at the age of 6, he'd been raised for combat. But now, in a peaceful place, he looked more out of his area of expertise than a fisherman in a desert. Evan must have noticed the fact that Chief looked a little lost, becuase he smiled a bit. "Merlin's scan only checked you, but I saw the AI Deck in that wreckage. How's it seem if we get your friend checked out, too?" Evan turned to me. "How much space can Tron spare?" I shrugged. "Ever terminal in the Manufactury is at least 25 Terabytes. Tron's barely filling one, and we've got at least....650 of 'em. More than enough space, I'd say." Evan and I shared a smile, before heading out the door. The footsteps behind us, surprisingly light for all that armor he carried, told me Master Chief was following after. It wasn't a long walk towards the Postern and Ansem's Lab beneath, and the moon had just risen by the time we got there. After Cloud's Geostigma had been healed, Nii-san had put this area under a code lock, telling only Vincent and I the code. It was a simple code, Yuffie's birthday. Once we were in, Evan literally kicked down the door to the lab, making it whoosh back into the wall. I shook my head with a shrug as I passed my friend. "Never a dull moment here, huh?" Evan smirked, and we were soon at the Computer itself. "Tron!" "Ah, Christie, Evan. Welcome back. How may I be of assitance to you?" Evan stepped forward. "We've got an AI that may or may not need a tuneup, can you check her out?" "Most certainly. Simply offload her into my system, and I will return her unharmed." Chief hesitated, and I whirled around to face him. "Look. Either you let Tron check out your friend, or Laguna orders a Deletion Protocol. Your choice." I seriously don't think he could have moved any faster. He removed her chip from his helmet, handing it to me like a mother would hand her child to someone. "Don't let anything happen to her." I nodded, turning around to face Tron's core to find the right slot. It was an easy find, and Evan whistled as several dozen of the Modules in the manufactory filled up with Cortana's data. I looked down at the screens as several command windows came open, nibbling on my lip as one of the windows flashed red. Evan and I shared concerned looks, pulling up chairs as I put my hair up. Chief came up behind us, arms crossed. "What's the problem." I ignored him, getting to work on the coding, while Evan turned around to stare down the massively built soldier without a hint of fear in his eyes. "Your friend has several viruses in her, it'll take a while to work them out. Just give us some time." Already deep in the codes, I paid no attention as Cortana made her appearence to meet Tron, and didn't even notice how much time passed. It was as if the entire world was just a blur, the only things in it myself and the data in front of me. I snapped out of my daze as Evan put his hand on my shoulder, a mug of steaming tea in his hand. He handed it to me, coaxing me out of the chair I sat it. "Go, get some air. I'll take over for a while." I nodded, taking the tea and heading towards the Postern. I blinked against the rising sun, waiting for my eyes to adjust before walking forward into the breeze. "Do you ever sleep?" I shook my head towards Chief, hopping up onto a raised platform to sit down. "Not when there's work to be done. It happens a lot here." I smiled slightly, looking at him over the rim of my mug. "But I bet you've done a lot of sleepless nights, too." His posture changed as he shrugged. He seemed to be relaxing a bit, but I couldn't tell with all his armor on. He turned back to the sunrise, and we spent a long moment in silence before he spoke again. "Is she going to be alright?" I nodded, finishing my tea and standing up. "Evan's good at what he does. She's probably up and running again now." I headed back towards the passageways, looking over my shoulder when he didn't follow. "Coming?" ------ Several hours later, we were still working on coaxing a very stubborn virus out of Cortana's main drive when all hell broke loose. I jolted as my phone vibrated in my pocket, excusing myself as I walked away to answer it. "Oh, thank Odin I got you!" I frowned. It was rare I'd hear Bailey so preturbed at this hour, or at all. She was normally a happy-go-lucky girl, little got her down for long. "What's the matter?" "That Laguna guy is heading your way! I sent Senpai to help you get them home, but I don't know if he'll be able to!" Senpai, otherwise known as Xigbar. He'd once been an enemy, but after Xemnas was defeated, he came to Radient Garden to retake his teaching position like he'd done when Bailey and I were children. "Tell her she needs to have some faith in me." I jumped near a foot in the air as Xigbar stepped through a Dark Portal directly behind me, with Bailey on the phone appearing behind him. We both glared at him, hanging up at the same time as he walked into the Labs. Evan's shout of alarm told me all I needed to know, and we walked into the room in time to see him hand Cortana's chip to Chief. The soldier took it with an amount of reverance I hadn't seen in a long time, slipping it back into his helmet. He nodded to us, then turned as Xigbar opened a white portal in the wall. "That'll get you back to your time period. I can't you to a specific location, but you can handle that, right?" Chief answered by giving us all a military salute, then walking through the portal. It closed behind him, Xigbar portaling out as Evan sighed. "Do you think we'll ever see them again?" I shook my head. "I hope not." Bailey frowned, confused. "Why's that?" I sighed, turning around to power Tron down for the night. "Becuase Chief is an instrument of war. If we ever see him again, we'll probably be at war. I don't think we can risk that with the way things are now." Tron shut down, keeping the Data from Cortana safe and sound as Laguna burst into the lab. He glared at me, and I gave him a sweet smile as we all left the castle, heading back for town. Bailey laughed at a joke Evan made about the time we'd spent on Earth, but I wasn't laughing as something caught my eye on the Marketplace message board. I walked over, frowning. Eyes wide, I ripped the paper from the board. It was a wanted poster for Sora, with a bounty of over 5 Million Munny. Evan and Bailey, having noticed I wasn't following them, turned to face me. Bailey frowned. "Chris?" I shook my head, crumbling the poster and sticking it in my pocket before walking to my friends and slinging my arms around their shoulders. "You two go home and wait for me to call. We have a situation on our hands." They nodded, and we said our goodbyes at the crossroads in the Burrough. I kept my hands in my pockets as I walked home, finding the door unlocked and my family around the table. Nii-san frowned at the look on my face as I took a seat, and his eyes widened as I set the semi-reumpled poster in front of him. "Who set this?!" I shook my head. "No name. But I'm willing to bet it was Laguna, or someone working for him. It just makes sense." Nii-san frowned, handing the poster to Yuffie. She glared at it, as if that would make it go away and take our problems with it, before handing it to Sora. One hand snaked it's way to his side, the bandages peaking out from beneath his shirt as he stared at the poster calling him a wanted fugitive. Nii-san sighed, lacing his fingers. "There's no other choice." He looked up at me. "Pack your bags. You're taking Sora and getting as far away from here as possible." I nodded, heading upstairs. We all froze as someone banged on the door. Nii-san stood up, gesturing to Sora to get upstairs. He nodded, running into his room and leaving the door only a crack open. I watched from the banister as Nii-san opened the door, letting Laguna and several soldier looking guys into the front room. Nii-san frowned. "Can we help you?" Laguna nodded. "We're looking for the fugitive, Sora Isumaru. The townsfolk say he's living here." Laguna reached into his jacket to pull something out, but Nii-san caught his arm. "Sora is living here, but he's not a fugitive. He is a teenage boy who was almost killed last night. You won't be taking him anywhere, I don't care who you are." I smiled to myself in pride for my brother standing up to a our father, and I could hear Sora's sigh of relief when he heard Nii-san's words. Laguna's face contorted in a sneer, before he looked up at me. I met his glare with one of my own, knuckles going white with how hard I clutched at the banister. Laguna then broke eye contact, turning on his heel and leaving our house, taking his soldiers with him. Nii-san slammed the door shut as Sora came out of his room, a bag slung over his shoulder. His eyes were downcast; he knew what was happening. He took a seat on the stairs as I quickly packed a bag, before sitting on my bed and looking at my phone for a long moment. I sighed, shaking my head and leaving it on my nightstand as I slipped my backpack on, helping Sora up before we both headed downstairs. Judging from the look on Nii-sans face, he wasn't any happier about this then we were. Before Sora could protest, Nii-san had caught us both in a tight hug. I returned it without hesitation, but Sora needed a little prodding before he'd do the same. After a moment, Nii-san backed away, clearing his throat. "You'd better go out the back." We nodded, and as we left the house, I turned back and looked at my brother. He shook his head, and I sighed. I walked out after Sora, shutting the screen door behind me. It was a silent walk to the Harbor, and I wasn't surprised to find Riku, Kairi, and Bailey there. I was surprised, however, to find that Riku and Kairi had bags with them. I shook my head, gesturing towards the ship. Kairi took Sora's hand in hers, giving it a gentle squeeze as I turned to Bailey. She crossed her arms over her stomach, blowing hair out of her face. "Nii-sama and Zack did a little digging. The ones who posted the bounty on Sora were the 8 Generals." My eyes widened, but Sora, Riku, and Kairi looked at us in confusion. Sora tilted his head. "Who are the '8 Generals'?" I turned to Sora, and we all took seat around the ramp of Infinity. I laced fingers, looking up at the sky we could see through the hanger doors. "A long time ago, there were 8 great people. Coming together from thier worlds, they formed a pact. Calling themselves the 8 Generals, they waged war on the worlds. The one person who could stop them was your father, Sora. The name he registered under when he moved here was Daichi, but his real name was Terra. He could also use a Keyblade." Sora stared, shell shocked. Kairi rubbed his back, and I continued my story. "Terra and one of the Generals, a Sorcerer going under the name Garland, waged war against one another. Terra barely won with his life, and he escaped to Radient Garden. Because one of thier comrades had just been killed, the remaining 7 Generals went into hiding. Up until now, everyone thought they were just child's fairytales, cooked up to make more hero stories. Of course, with Kuja bieng Garlands son...whos' to say." Riku frowned. "Then...who were the other 7?" I stood up, crossing my arms as I paced, trying to remember the old fable I'd been told as a child. "Before Garland was Sephiroth, the Master Swordsman. Before Sephiroth was Steele, Pack Leader. Before Steele was Frollo, Minister to the Gods. Before Frollo was Pride, Sin Incarnate. Before Pride was Ganandorf, Controller of Evil. Before Ganondorf was XANA, computer contruct bent on wolrd domination. Before XANA was..." I shook my head. "I don't remember who came before XANA. I don't remember who founded the 8 Generals. I don't think anyone knew, really." "Aizen. Aizen is the leader of the 8 Generals." We looked up, and I frowned at the look of panic in Bailey's eyes. She'd obviously run into this Aizen fellow before, and he'd scared the living daylights out of her. Kairi tilted her head. "Who's Aizen?" Bailey shook her head, rubbing her arms as she shivered in fear. Kairi backed off, it was obvious she didn't want to talk about it. I put an arm around Bailey's shoulder, giving her a smile. "Hey, we'll be fine. Besides, it's not like we're going to go looking for these guys, right?" She nodded, but gave us all concerned looks. "If you do find Aizen, run. He'll kill you all in a heartbeat...no, less than that. Please, promise be you'll be careful!" It was rare that I'd ever see Bailey look so frightened. I sighed, backing away and extending my arm to her, hand in a loose fist. "I promise, Bailey." She blinked, connecting her arm with mine as the other's stood up, connecting thier arms with ours to make the promise their own, as well. Bailey smiled, waving goodbye as we boarded Infinity to leave Radient Garden behind us. As she took off and the others took seats, I stood in the cockpit, hands on my hips as I stared at the vast void that was the space of the Kingdom System. Infinity, my ship's AI, popped up behind me in her moogle form. "Captain? Where too?" I sighed, before smiling a little. "Wherever the winds take us." ---- Well, enjoy! Silver
Chapter 2: Snow Paws Disclaimer: KH is the jointly owned property of Disney and Square Enix, Balto is the property of Universal Studios, Christie/Kia/Infinity/Crest Locks are mine, ec. etc. We done? A/N: I've had this world set in stone for months now. Balto is one of my favorite movies, I practically have it known by heart. ------ We spent a week onboard Infinity before we all went stir crazy.Sora and Riku, normally like brothers, weren't talking to one another. Kairi was more withdrawn, paper and pencil in her hands as she stared out the window. I was used to this, but the tight quarters and tension was getting to me. At dinner one night, I shook my head. "We're going nuts like this. We need fresh air." Sora rolled his eyes, tapping the window behind him. "Vacumn isn't fresh." I smirked, leaving the table as they stared at me with curious eyes. I smiled warmly as I came to the cockpit, pointing at the Earth like world outside the windows. Sora's eyes widened, Kairi smiled, and Riku seemed to relax as I crossed my arms, leaning against the doorjam. "Lady and Gentlemen, I present you with the planet we're going to know quite well over the next week or two. Sora's not the only one getting restless, I take it?" I exchanged a knowing look with Riku, before all four of us broke out laughing. It was official, we were all crazy. ------- Dinner was finished as Infinity came into a low orbit, setting a transport beacon down in a small forest clearing. Once the table was folded back up, we were beamed down to the planet. I yelped in surprise as my center of balance changed, sending me to the ground and giving me a mouthful of snow. Judging from the sounds behind me, the others were just as lucky. I spat out the snow, getting to my feet again before shaking off the snow that clung to fur. I sighed as I looked over my shoulder to see dark brown fur instead of cloths and skin, but the others weren't any better off. Riku was getting to his paws, silver colored ears flicking off snow as Kairi flapped a pair of dark red wings, getting back into the air as Sora rolled up off his back, brown fur full of snow and bright blue eyes wide as he looked down at his claws instead of hands. "What the!?" I sat down, tail twitching a bit. A wolf. Turned into a wolf when I had a cat in my head. No wonder I could hear Griever rumbling in my brain, he and dogs didn't get along well. Riku was also a wolf from the looks of it, his left back leg sticking out at a slightly odd angle as he sat down close by. Kairi, judging by the size and shape of her wings, was some kind of hawk or falcon, and Sora was obviously a bear, stuck firmly between cubhood and being an adult. But to his credit, he shook off the surprise well enough, getting into a standing position and letting Kairi perch on his shoulder. She ruffled her feathers. "Well, we're getting some air, at least." Riku and I snickered, and I turned as a loud bang rushed through the air. A golden glow lit the sky, and Sora jolted in surprise as I stood up, tail wagging slightly. "A race marker! There must be a town nearby!" I exchanged looks with my friends, and we took off. Kairi got the hang of flying pretty quickly, and Sora's lumbering pace actually kept up with Riku and I quite well. It seemed the snow numbed Riku's limp, because he was going even faster than I was. We passed by an old shipwreck on the way towards the town, and I skidded to a stop. "No way..." I recognized this old hunk of wood. As a child on Earth, I got sick often. So, I watched a lot of movies. One such movie was Balto. The title character had lived in this boat for most of his life, but he wasn't here now. I shook my head, catching up with my friends before Riku jumped in front of Sora as we reached the town. "I don't think so, Sora." The bear blinked, then looked at the town before he nodded and backed away as Kairi lighted down on his shoulders. resting her wings from the flight over. Riku looked between me and the town, before sitting down with a sigh. "And as much as I hate to admit it, I'll be sticking out like a sore thumb, too. Chris, you go see what's going on, then come back." I nodded, giving his neck a quick nuzzle before heading into the town with an easy pace under my paws. The town streets were packed, but it was like no one noticed the odd stray dog around. That probably wasn't that far off, since they were all busy with the sled race coming in today. I shook my head with a longing look as I ducked into one of the back alleys to get onto the roofs. Not that it worked, I ended up rolling the trash bin over which sent me face first into the snow again. I snorted as I stood up, shaking it off before looking behind me at the sound of a chuckle. "You'll never get up there like that, you know." I tilted my head at the wolf-dog behind me as he stood up, padding over on rather large paws. I tunred around, giving him a look that dared him to do it better. He laughed openly, grey-brown ears standing upright and his tail wagging lightly. I cracked a smile, looking up to the rooftops in annoyance before turning back to the other canine. "I'm Christie." "Name's Balto. You're new around here, aren't you." It wasn't a question, but I nodded. "My friends and I just got here. They're outside of the town, since they'd draw too much attention." To Balto's credit, he didn't seem all that surprised. We both looked up as another flare lit the sky, and he smiled. "5 Miles. Come on! I know the best place to watch them come in." He took off running, with me close behind him as a rather large goose alighted to the ground behind us, panting. "Ah, Balto! There you are!" Balto didn't appear to hear him, and we both just kept running. Balto led me towards the sidelines, sticking his head between a pair of humans and gesturing for me to keep close behind. I did so, ears starting to fold back against my head at the noise of humans screaming for the mushers to push their dogs just a little harder, to move just a little faster. I snorted at the whole spectacle, but kept my position as Balto stared past the humans and at a red husky just a little down the line. She was jumping around a small child and sled, the girl obviously her owner. She was laughing as the dog, Jenna, jumped and yipped at her in playful ways, before the wind kicked up and blew the girls musher's cap away from her grasp. It flew into the path of the upcoming sleds, and the girl tried to run after it before her dog grabbed the back of her coat in her teeth. Balto frowned, looking between the cap and the first sled. Before either the goose or I could stop him, he'd run onto the track and started to run like there was nothing to stop him. He actually caught up with the leading team, then passed the lead dog, a large black and white husky I recognized as Steele. My eyes widened as Balto grabbed the hat and swung back into the sidelines, but it wasn't at the feat he'd managed to just pull off. "Before Sephiroth was Steele, Pack Leader." I shook all over as Steele led his team across the finish line. We'd barely been out of Radient Garden a week, and we'd already encountered one of the 8 Generals. This could get ugly. "Balto, you were amazing! And all to show off for a pretty girl!" I turned as the girl gave Balto a hug around the neck for getting her hat back, before her father pulled her back. "Rosie! Don't get near him!" Balto backed away, ears pinned to his head and tail between his legs as Rosie's father glared at him, grabbing Jenna by the collar. Rosie pouted. "Dad! Oh, now you've hurt his feelings!" The man sighed, shaking his head and pulling his daughter away. "He's part wolf, sweetie. He might bite you." Balto stalked away, back through the crowd and into a back alley. I followed after him, the goose fast behind me. The goose, Boris, came up beside Balto. "Oh, boychik. You should know better then to listen to humans." Balto didn't seem to be paying any attention, and he just kept on walking. Boris exchanged a look with the heavens, smacking his face with his wing as if asking himself why he kept doing this. "Hey, half-breed!" Balto froze, and I whirled around to come nose to nose with Steele. I backed away a step, and he walked right past me as his three henchdogs blocked the way out of the alley. Balto turned to leave with Boris behind him, but Steele blocked his way, yellow eyes flashing blood red for a split second. "You know, you were pretty fast back there. Shame no musher'll let a wolf-dog onto his team." Balto ignored him and kept walking. Steele seemed put out for a moment, before he walked back towards his little pack. I trotted aside, towards Balto, before Steele got in the way. "Hey, pretty lady. Why are you hanging around with the mangy half-breed? Wouldn't you rather be with a stud like me?" I snorted in his face, trotting right past him. "Come back when you have a heart. And for your information, I already have a mate." Steele blinked in shock and embarresment, before he grinned evilly. "Hey, Balto! I've got a message for your mother." We all froze as Steele raised a loud, keening howl in a disrespectful tone. Balto snarled, turning around. I got out of his way quickly, but Boris tried to stop him. The goose grabbed onto his friends tail, webbed feet dragging in the inch deep snow. "Balto! No, he's not worth it! Balto!!" The dogs stopped howling as Balto stalked closer, but Steele didn't seem to care. He turned his tail to Balto, kicking up snow. His pack of henchdogs soon followed suit, and Balto knew a losing fight when he saw one. He turned to run out of the alley, and near made it to the other side before a rock nailed him in the hip, sending him skittering into the metal trash cans. I helped him to his paws, and we ran from the alley and towards the edge of town. When we reached the place where the others were waiting, we stopped running. Balto shook his head, sitting in the snow as I walked over to Riku and the others. Sora lumbered over, sitting down with Kairi still on his shoulder. "I'm Sora, and this is Kairi. You already know Christie, and that's Riku." Balto nodded as he stood up, seeming to shake off the impact of what Steele had said. "I'm Balto. If you've got nowhere else to stay, you could come with me. More than enough wood to go around." Sora nodded for the four of us, and Balto turned to lead the way back towards his boat. Along the way, I nudged Riku to get his attention. "We have the worst luck when it comes to bad guys. Not even an hour here, and we've run into one of the 8 Generals." Aqua eyes widened, but he kept on walking as Balto led the way onto the shipwreck. After gesturing to open space, he nosed his way under a blanket and laid down with his head under his paws. He apparently hadn't shaken off what Steele had said. Boris pursed his face in thought, before darting off and running back with a squeaky toy mouse in wing. He let it loose in front of Balto, but got no response. Boris sighed. "Not a dog, not a wolf. All he knows is what he is not. If only he could see what he really is." Boris inched his way under Balto's blanket as we got settled, both of them sighing in unison before Balto looked up at the sky as a flock of Geese flew overhead. "You ever get homesick, Boris?" The goose followed his friends gaze, then shook his head. "Not going to get rid of me that easy, Balto." Balto smiled a little, before laying back down. I frowned, exchanging a look with Riku before he sat up straight as the sound of footsteps came across the snow. "UNCLE BORIS!!!" Boris shot upright, taking the blanket with him as two polar bears, one much larger than the other, darted up the ramp and into Boris' face. Laughing, Balto stood up as the polar bears kept on calling Boris "Uncle Boris" and telling him they were bored. We shared amused looks as Boris stuck his wings out, silencing the bears. "Alright, alright! I have a game. First one to the shore wins! Ready? 1, 2, 3, go!" They took off, not noticing that Boris wasn't behind them as they raced for the shoreline, not far from where we had landed. There was a moment of quiet before screams rent the air. "Help! Uncle Boris!" Boris sighed as Balto chuckled, and we all ran off towards the polar bears. They were struggling in barely paw high water, floundering around as Boris screamed at them to calm down. He palmed his face with a wing when that didn't work, he glared at Balto as he pointed at the polar bears. The wolf-dog laughed, then turned to the bears. "Muk! Luk! You're okay, you're not drowning!" They suddenly stopped thrashing, blinking as they realized Balto was right. Luk, the large one, looked down at his claws as Muk, the smaller one, and the only one who could talk, dragged a small piece of ice around in the water. "What kind of Polar bears are we? We can't even swim..." Riku and I shared a look, smiling at one another before turning to look up at a snow ridge as a small pack of wolves looked down at us. The leader cocked his head to the side, barking at Balto. The wolf-dog didn't even look back as we trudged back to the boat when night fell. The next morning, I woke up squished between Riku and Sora. I snorted, making a face as I squeezed my way out. I gave the now half-awake Sora a look as I trotted off the boat, heading for town after Balto's footprints. The race fever had apparently died down, becuase there was no one in the streets. Balto sat at the entrance to the town, a perplexed look on his face. HIs ear twitched in greeting, but he didn't move. "It's too quiet. Where is everyone?" I couldn't answer, and he gestured for me to follow as he lead the way to the local clinic. My eyes went wide as I noticed the quarantine sign over the door, but Balto's attention was on the husky from yesterday, Jenna. She was perched on the window, watching her owner be examined. I stayed around the corner of the alleyway, listening in close enough but far away as to not be seen. I jumped a foot in the air when Kairi perched on my back, but said nothing as we listened. "She can't stop coughing, and she's warm. Balto, what's wrong with her?" "I don't know...but I know a way to find out. Come this way." Thier footsteps faded away, and Kairi perched on the sign as I shook myself off. She tilted her head, confused. "What's going on, Christie? The whole place is abandoned." I jerked my head in the direction of the door, and she looked over at the sign. She seemed to sag, then went bolt upright with a loud cry. I jumped at what got her all spooked and flying, before I caught sight of Steele coming our way. He smirked as he saw me, then padded in my direction. "Hey there. No mutt around today? What, you ditch the loser and come find me?" I snorted on his face, not at all impressed. "I told you yesterday, I have a mate. If you even wanted a chance, you should have had a heart." Steele's eyes flashed red, then returned to thier normal amber color as people started to come out the buildings, murmuring about "antitoxin" and getting it here before it was too late. Steele's musher called to him, and I was gone by the time he turned around. I bolted into the alley, waiting for Balto as Jenna went back to sitting by the window, looking very sad. Balto shook his head at me, heading into town to take a place in some kind of street race, as I headed towards the rooftops. Riku had somehow snuck his way into town and behind me, and I gave him a playful glare as he licked the side of my face, completely scaring me. "Not funny." He grinned, turqoise eyes alight with happiness as I took a seat on the rooftops where I could see Balto. Riku's tail twined with mine, and we watched as Balto ended up dealing with every single member of Steele's team in the same day. I made a face as one of them shoved him off the path, but Riku and I both cheered as Balto steping on his head ended with that dog having a mouthfull of snow. Balto was panting at the finish line by the time we got off the roof, and the man with the watch was trying to make sure his clock was working. Balto had come in a full 5 seconds ahead of Steele! Jenna didn't even bother waiting in the sidelines, she ran straight to Balto and jumped around him like a lovesick puppy. Two of the mushers walked over to Balto, one of them leaning down and gently ruffling the wolf-dogs ears as he talked to his companion, the watch-man. Steele stalked over, meandering his way around Balto. "So, Balto. You're actually faster than me. Nice to know someone is. We should have a few races someday. But for now..." Before Jenna, Riku, or I could even get close enough to stop him, Steele had stomped down on Balto's paw just as the musher's turned around, giving them a full view of a wolfs set of teeth. Steele smirked as they shook thier heads, and the watch-man sighed. "Look's like we're counting on Steele this time. Can't trust a part wolf. They may turn on you." Balto's ears folded back, and his tail ended between his legs as he turned to walk away. I stood up and nudged Riku, but Jenna was already trying to stop Balto from leaving. "Balto, wait!" He looked at her over his shoulder. "Stay away from me, Jenna. I may turn on you." He took off running, ignoring Jenna's cries after him. Riku and I raced past her, but we lost Balto as he turned away from the town and an untimely burst of wind kicked up the snow. I looked around once the wind had died down, but there were no footprints or any other sign of where he'd gone. Riku sighed, tail drooping as we trudged back towards the boat. I sat at the bow, leaning my head on the railing as Kairi flew overhead. It was several hours later that Balto returned, just in time to watch Steele lead his team towards the Antitoxin in another city. He sighed, then turned in and headed towards his bed. I turned to Riku, and he shook his head as we headed towards Sora and Kairi. I laid my head on my paws, staring up at the stars beginning to appear. I looked back down as one of them winked out, sighing. We'd already spent too long here. If there was nothing else we could do here, it was time to leave. I must have fallen asleep, becuase the next thing I knew, Balto's pawsteps woke me up as he headed back into town, Kairi on his shoulder. Sora spent the next couple of hours at the shoreline, poking around and actually finding fish for us to eat. When they reappeared, Kairi grabbed his half eaten one with her talons and flew up into a tree, earning a few laughs from Riku and I. Sora pouted, then turned to Balto. His face fell at the look on the wolf-dog's face. "What's wrong?" Balto looked up, then at Boris and the rest of us, even Muk and Luk. "The medicine's not here yet." I frowned, exchanging a worried look with Riku and Sora as Balto paced around. After a few minutes, he sighed. "I'm going after Steele. They must have gotten lost, and the medicine won't get here in time without them" He took off back towards town, following a frozen drainage ditch with the rest of us directly behind him. Boris wasn't too hapy about Balto's idea, however. "Balto! This is insanity! You're going to rescue a dog that you don't like to rescue a town that doesn't like you!?" He facepalmed with one wing, then continued to waddle after us towards the clinic. We hung back as Balto perched on the one window that could see Rosie, and he waited until Boris had seen the girl with Jenna laying beside the bed to speak up. "Now, are you coming with me or not?" Boris blinked, then walked towards the town exit. "We've much ground to cover. Come, boychiks." Balto chuckled wryly, gave one last look towards the clinic, then followed after Boris and polar bears. We weren't far behind them, following the only route towards the lost team. Muk and Luk told many "I Spy" jokes along the way, but that lost it's flavor rather soon after they started. There just wasn't much to see in snow filled plains. We must have been getting somewhere, though, because when we were almost at the forest entrance, Balto reared onto his rear legs and marked one of the trees by scraping off some bark. Muk tilted his head. "Ah, Balto, what are you doing?" Balto turned back to the polar bear. "Marking the trail, so we can get back again." Muk blinked, but Balto was already ahead of us and we had to run to keep up. It was when we entered the deeper part of the forest that things started to go wrong. Bored as all hell, Muk and Luk started a snowball fight that ended up knocking Kairi out of the sky, snapping Riku and Balto's heads forward, and Sora ending up with a very white back. Balto shook his head in amusement, before he suddenly stopped. I stopped short to avoid crashing into him, before noticing the shadow following us around. I turned to look over my shoulder. "Muk, Luk! Stop the snowballs. We have company." From where he was flicking snow off his ears, Riku frowned and went on the defensive. He didn't know what was out here, but he knew me well enough to realize there was something going on. Something really bad. Balto flicked snow off one ear, then kept walking. His fur was starting to stand up on end, but he knew it would be best to just keep moving. We lightly treaded after him, Kairi perching on Riku's back as Sora walked behind us, acting as a shield from Muk and Luk's snowballs. I flinched as Boris yelped when one hit him in the back, but we kept walking for a long moment until a sudden and loud roar had us whirling around. A huge black bear was standing over Muk, Luk, and Boris, keeping them trapped in a drift. Balto ran at the bear as it prepared to strike at his friends, and he jumped on it's back before we could stop him. Sora closed his eyes, then opened them in a panic. "I can't summon the Keyblade!" Kairi took off from Riku's back as I ran at full speed to grab the bear's rear leg to try and knock it over. I could vaguely hear the boys from where I stood, teeth latched onto the bears thick paw pads. "You've got claws and fangs, Sora! Put them to use!" I saw a streak of silver over my head as Riku jumped on the bears back, gnawing at it's neck as we slowly pulled it's attention away from the others. Unfortunately, the damn thing was huge. It swiped at Kairi, and she shrieked before backing off, feathers flying loose from her wings. I couldn't see anything beyond the bears foot in my mouth before it shook me off, sending me rolling into the snow. It roared suddenly, dislodging Balto and Riku and sending them both flying. Riku lay there, dazed for a moment as Balto ran back at the beast, latching onto a front paw and tugging as hard as he could. It didn't do us any good, becuase it only made the bear angry. He jerked his paw upwards, sending Balto flying towards the bears face. For a second, they were nose to nose, then before we could react, the bear had swung his paws around and knocked Balto into the snow, pressing down and forcing the air out of his lungs. It was then that Sora rose into action, finally having broken out of his stupor. He roared loudly, getting the larger bears attention long enough for Kairi to dart in and claw at his eyes. She flew away with bloodstained talons as Sora ran in, shoving the bear off of Balto with a mighty push. Riku and I, having recovered from the toss, raced back in as a blur of red fur ran past us, jumping up and biting into the bears nose. Jenna had finally arrived. But even the five of us weren't enough to keep the bear busy, and it shook us all off like fleas. Jenna went flying towards the trees, while Riku and I collided into one another, both of us ending with the wind knocked out of us. Sora, having suffered the least from the larger bears attack, immediatly turned to see it stalking towards Balto, empty eye sockets now a feral red. "Balto! Run!" He jerked his head around to see what Sora was yelling for, then bolted aside as the bear swiped at where the wolf-dog had been standing just seconds before. The snow slipped out from beneath Balto's paws, and he tumbled down a snow covered hill onto more snow and ice. The bear lumbered down after him, and I jolted upright at the sound of cracking ice. "Oh crap." Jenna, Muk, Luk, and Boris were crowding eachother at the hill's edge, and Kairi flew above them to see what was going on. But I knew well enough what was happening. The bear was stalking forward onto the ice, and it was cracking beneath his weight. The locals of this world bolted down the cliff, giving us a full view of what was going on. To be completely honest, the scene was terrifying. Balto was scrabbling to keep his footing as a piece of ice tilted towards the water. But even a wolf-dogs claws can't break ice, and he was sent into the water below. I don't know who screamed louder that day, Jenna or Boris. Muk and Luk immediatley dove into the water, crying out a "geronimo" as they broke through. Riku and I ran onto the ice, and I called out as we ran. "Sora, stay on the banks!" He nodded, working his way over the trees to avoid sending any more of us beneath the frozen lake. Jenna scrabbled at the snow on the ice, trying to catch at least a view of Balto as Boris stuck his head into a crack. He came up with icicles attached to his head, and Jenna turned to face him. "Well?!" Boris sneezed, sending icicles flying. "I don't see them!" It was a terrifying moment for us all. There was no sign of Balto even still being alive, and there was no way that Muk or Luk could survive for much longer without air. Suddenly, a massive crack broke the silence. For a moment, I thought Sora had gotten caught on the ice and was falling through. But then I saw the ice across the lake break open, Muk and Luk dragging a half-drowned Balto out of the water. Boris and Jenna took off running towards him, as Sora picked his way across the bank to reach them. Riku and I loped off after a second, with Kairi flying overheard as Boris tripped on the ice. He skidded towards the others, outpacing Jenna and flying upwards off one of the broken ice pieces. He crashed into Muk, sending him tumbling into his brother, which in turn sent Luk forward onto Balto, forcing the ice water out of his lungs. By the time Riku and I had reached them, Boris was already patting Balto around the muzzle, trying to get him to respond as he coughed up the last of the water in his lungs. "Oh, Balto! I got so scared, I got people bumps!" Sora blinked as he heard that, but we stayed quiet as Balto pried himself off the wet log Muk had put him on, shivering as he hit the snow. "You know, Boris...this may be a wild goosechase, but I'm glad you came." He shivered violently, and Boris nodded. "Who else to bring on a while goosechase, but a goose?" Riku and I exchanged an amused glance at this, before backing away as Jenna went over and layed down across Balto to try and keep him warm. While they talked, I turned and padded back over the ice, careful to avoid the thinner parts. I didn't even flinch when Kairi landed on my back. "What are you looking for? I don't think the bear's coming back." I frowned, shaking my head as I saw a pinprick of red beneath the ice. "Maybe, maybe not. I'd rather not be here if that thing decides it wants a round two." Kairi nodded, and stayed on my back as I made my towards the others. After a moment, she spoke up. "What was up with that thing, anyway? I thought clawing his eyes out would chase him off, but he just kept on attacking Balto." I nodded, already knowing what was going on. "Possesion. I'm willing to bet just about anything that Steele and his team came this way. He's a General, so he must have done something to that poor bear, made it focus on Balto instead of running away." We made it back to the others in time to see Jenna stumble on a badly wounded paw, and I frowned in concern. This wouldn't be good. She sighed, then looked away. "Maybe I'm not so fine." Balto frowned, then turned to pick up a large tree branch shaped like a sled. He dragged it over towards the others. "Muk, Luk, you and the others take Jenna back to town on this. I'll go on ahead and bring Steele back." As Boris tried to talk Balto out of it, I turned at gave Riku a startled look. He shook his head, Kairi hopping from my back to his as walked past me, nuzzling my neck as Jenna gently slipped her bandanna onto Balto's neck and gave him a nuzzle of her own. Riku walked to block Balto's path. "You won't go alone." Riku turned to the now crying Muk. "I'll go with him, to make sure he comes home. Don't worry about it." Sora's eyes widened, but Riku cut him off with a glance and a wolfish grin. Sora was so shocked for that moment that he said nothing, and we all watched as Balto and Riku bolted off in the direction Steele must have taken. I sighed, then padded off after the others as Muk and Luk made slow progress to get Jenna up the cliff. Once we were at the top, as the polar bears took a rest, I sat down beside Jenna's makeshift chariot as she stared off in the direction that Balto had gone. "He'll come back, with the medicine. Riku promised me he'd come back." I gave her a small smile. "Riku always keeps his promises." ------- "Why'd you come with me? It's safer to be heading back to town." Riku gave Balto a look out of the corner of his eye, then turned back to treading through the blizzard. "Becuase you can't do this alone. Something's wrong with that Steele guy, and you might not have come back at all if you went alone." Balto blinked, stopping for a second before he sighed and nodded. "Thank you." Riku was already three steps ahead, and he looked over his shoulder. He had to shout to be heard over the howling wind of the blizzard. "Are you coming?!" Balto blinked, then laughed and ran after the younger male. They continued in silence until the blizzard finally died down, letting Balto get a whiff of scent. "Steele." He took off running, Riku right behind him. The ground shifted beneath thier paws suddenly, giving way to an ice covered drop. Both males slid down, skidding and making tracks until they hit the snow below, where Steele and his team were trapped. Balto reacted first. "Is everyone alright?" Steele, from where he was shuddering near the dying lantern, snarled. "We're just fine." One of Steele's teammates, a scrawny looking dog, went over to the unconcious musher. "We're fine, but our musher hit his head...and he hasn't gotten up..." Riku padded over to the man, careful to keep one eye on Steele as he gave the man a sniff and pawed carefully at his arm. There was no response, but the man was still warm. He was still alive, but he wouldn't last much longer in this cold. Riku turned to look at Balto and shook his head. "He's hurt pretty bad, but he's still alive. For now." Balto nodded, and began to walk over to the sled. "Let me help you get home." He tried to walk past Steele, but the husky snarled and leapt in the way. "We don't need your help." Balto backed up a step, and Riku's fur started to stand on end. He could already smell the Darkness working it's way around Steele, and he didn't like where this was going. The scrawny looking dog standing close to the musher shrank back, tail between his legs. "M-maybe we should listen to him, Steele." Steele whirled around and snarled, giving Riku a full view of his eyes starting to turn the amber shade of Heartless mixing with red. This wasn't good. But before Riku could act on this, another one of Steeles teammates, a red chubby dog, spoke up. "Well, how would youse get us home?" Balto padded over to a half broken tree stump, scratching off some of the bark. "Well, I marked the trail back. Like this." The other dogs reacted well enough, but Steele leapt at Balto, his momentum knocking the tree stump sideways. "I'll get us back, I'm the lead dog, I'm in charge here!" Balto's ears started to fold back as he caught wind of Steele's killing intent. "Then let us take back the medicine. They're getting sicker." Balto stepped around Steele, heading for the medicine before Steele got in the way. "Touch that box, and I'll rip you both to shreds." Balto frowned, trying to keep his cool around the obviously upset Steele. "Steele, I'm not leaving without that medicine." Steele started snarling, shadows wreathing his paws as his fur began to stand on end. "Just who do you think you are?" He bolting, knocking Balto away and sending him rolling into a tree. The other dogs scattered, shivering near thier musher as Riku backed away, walking past Steele and nudging Balto to his paws. The wolf-dog shook the snow off his fur, panting a little. "Since...since when do you need a pedigree to help someone?" Balto walked forward again, before he folded his ears back as Steele lunged again. "Steele, let me help you." Steele was actually just a couple steps away from foaming at the mouth in rage, and Riku frowned as he watched the husky's eyes turn a startling red color. Had the Heartless done this? Or had Steele's own greed and rage done this? Either way, he was past reasoning. He lunged at Balto, grabbing him by the front paw and tossing him into the sled. It rocked, the crate of medicine tugging at it's ropes as the other dogs gasped in surprise. If that medicine broke becuase of what Steele was doing...Riku bolted forward, knocking Steele away for a second as Balto got back on his feet. His legs were a little shaky, but he stared Steele down. "I don't want to fight you, Steele. We just need to get the medicine back to town." Before Riku could even see what was going on, Steele had vanished. By the time he reappeared, he was grabbing Balto by a back leg, tossing him into a rock jutting out from the mountain side. Most of the dogs gasped in fear and alarm as Balto hit the ground and Steele stalked forward, laughing maniaclly. He stopped in his tracks, however, as Riku got in the way, snarling as his fur stuck straight up. "Back away." Steele met him snarl for snarl, stalking around like the cat who'd caught the mouse. The scrawny dog's gasp turned Riku's gaze away from Steele and towards Balto, who was slowly pushing himself back onto his paws even as blood stained his fur. His eyes were steady as he walked past Riku until he was nose to nose with Steele. "I"m not going to fight you." Steele now starting foaming at the mouth, grabbing the edge of Jenna's bandanna from Balto's neck and tugging the lighter dog towards the cliff edge. Riku moved forward, but Balto shook his head as he dug his paws into the snow. Riku nodded, staying where he was as the knot on the red cloth undid itself, making Steele go right over the edge of the cliff. As the entire team watched, Steele practically bounced his way down the cliffside before he hit the bottom, Jenna's bandanna still clutched between his teeth. Balto sighed and shook his head, turning back to see several dogs getting the musher back onto the sled. Balto walked forward, nosing the mans arm back onto his body. Balto flinched slightly as the musher patted his head gently. "Good boy..." Balto stared, wide-eyed for a long moment, before Riku dragged Steele's lead dog harness from the snow, grabbing it with his teeth and offering it to Balto. The wolf-dog blinked in surprise, before the scrawny dog stepped forward. "You're our leader, Balto. You can do it." Riku nodded, and Balto sighed as he stepped into the harness. Getting back up the ice cliff would be impossible, so they'd have to go up the long way. Riku kept pace with Balto, nose twitching as they passed several marked trees. At nearly each one, the scent of Steele's Darkness was rank and palpable. Frankly, Riku was amazed that Balto was so confused as the scrawny dog stepped forward, confused. "Which way, Balto? Which way?" The wolf-dog sniffed the air, then frowned as he dragged the sled and team down the wrong path. Panting, the chubby red dog raised an ear. "Why are you taking us in circles?" Balto whirled around, confused as all hell. "I'm not! I mean, I don't know. It's Steele." Riku rolled his eyes as the wolf-dog finally caught on, but the chubby red dog was already preying on Balto's hesitation by whispering to his companion. "Maybe we was better off with him here." Balto glared, pulling the team faster than before. Sensing a change in the ground beneath his paws, Riku bolted to catch up with the half-dog. "Slow down! You'll run this thing right off the cliff!" Either Balto didn't hear or he was too panicked to care, becuase by the time he'd caught on to the cliff and managed to start slowing down, it was too late. The sled skidded forward, heading right for the cliff. Several of the dogs braced thier weight against it to keep it on the cliff, but the momentum snapped the medicine ropes. Balto bolted out of his borrowed harness, grabbing the ropes in his teeth. The team heaved a sigh of relief. "Nice catch, Balto!" Riku sighed as Balto grinned, before the snow began to crack beneath his paws. Balto looked down in surprise, but no one reached him in time. Balto and the crate of medicine went down in a whirl of snow, leaving the others no other option but to watch as their only hope vanished into the white below. -------- "I just don't get it. How in the world did Balto hope he could find Steele and his team? They were off the trail." I raised my head from my paws as Jenna looked up, ready to answer. "Well, he's tracking them. He'll bring them home." The dog that asked now broke out in laughter. "That mutt? Tracking a championship level team, in a blizzard?!" I stood up to chew him out, but the door blowing open and letting in the snow. I frowned as Jenna stood up to greet Balto, but she soon backed up as a near frozen Steele entered the room. Several other dogs crowded around him, helping him to the boiler and tossing a bone towards him before the oldest dog, the leader of the group, padded forward. "Steele, where are the others?" Steele looked down, and I watched him closely. The scent of Darkness was firm on his paws, and I kept myself between him and Jenna in case he'd try anything. "Well, one by one, they fell. Frozen, barely alive. I managed to pull four onto the sled. Three more onto my back! And I walked, and I walked...but it...it was just too late. They were already...." He broke off, as if he were too emotional to continue. I rolled my eyes, but kept quiet as the old dog leaned forward. "And the medicine?" To give Steele the little credit he deserved as a General, he didn't hesitate. "I went on, dragging the medicine alone for so long, and then, that wolf dog appeared. He and that silver wolf demanded I let Balto take the medicine the rest of the way." He turned to face Jenna, trying to be sympathetic. "He just wanted to be a hero in your eyes. He grabbed the crate, but he couldn't handle it. He didn't see the patch of ice, and the snow and the wind, then the log and the cliff...Well, he just didn't have a chance..." He broke off, sobbing fakely. "The silver wolf went down with him, but by the time I'd gotten down, it was too late for them...and then..." He reached backwards, pulling Jenna's bandanna out of his now warm fur. She gasped in alarm. "He...he made me promise to take care of you, Jenna." Jenna stared at her bandanna for a long time, before she finally looked back up at Steele. "You're lying." The other dogs gasped, and Jenna stood up. "Steele's lying. Balto's alive. And he's coming home." She grabbed her bandanna and ran off into the snow outside the shelter. I ran after her, but not before hearing Steele say she needed time. I found Jenna at the top of a hill outside town, watching her paw-made northern lights and sobbing. I sat down beside her, and she looked up at me. "He's still alive, right?" I nodded, looking up at the stars. "Yeah. He wouldn't die like Steele said. Neither would Riku. They're both too strong for that." I turned to look at the way we'd gotten back into town, wanting to run and find them but knowing that would be a bad idea. As it was, I could only pray they would both be alright. ----- At the bottom of that snow covered cliff, Balto was laying in the snow, paws over his nose. He had failed, and now the kids would die. "Rosy." He laid there for what felt like hours before a pure white wolf padded up to him, nosing him in the side. Balto didn't respond, and the wolf cocked it's head before turning and walking away. Balto watched it leave, before turning to see the still intact medicine crate. He looked up the cliff and frowned. "Let me tell you something, Balto. A dog, cannot make this journey alone. But...maybe a wolf, can." Good old Boris. Balto stood up slowly, putting his paw onto one of the wolfs pawprints. It was a perfect match, and Balto now understood. His heritage wasn't a curse. It would be the thing he needed to get back up to the others on the team. He raised his head high and howled into the wind, hearing the white wolf return and join her voice with his. "I know you can do it, my son." She vanished with the wind as Balto turned to grab the medicine crate, beginning the tough climb back up the mountain. At the top, Riku stood pacing the drop site as the others huddled together. They all flinched at the sound of the howls. "Things aren't bad enough, now we get wolves!" They huddled together tighter, and Riku rolled his eyes. Cowards. He turned at the sound of pawsteps below, and he smiled in relief before caling out to the others. "Hey! Over here!" They crowded around, making sounds of confusion before they saw Balto dragging the crate up the hill. They all started cheering him on, even as he started to fall down the cliff again. When he reached the top, two dogs grabbed the crate as RIku pulled him the rest of the way up. Balto flopped into the snow to rest for a second, before getting back up and into the harness. Now confident in his leading skills, he managed to lead the team towards home with no more issues from Steele's false markers. They managed to cross a bridge of ice just in time before it broke, leaving most of the dogs a little shocked at how close they'd come to sudden death. It was when they entered a canyon that the trouble started. The scrawny dog had gotten a nosefull of Balto's tail, and his sneeze echoed through the canyon, loud enough to start an avalanche. Balto turned at the first rumble he heard, before he got the team running again. He turned to Riku. "Find a cave or something! We can't outrun this forever!" Riku nodded, getting ahead of the team and turning into a small cave. Balto managed to follow the silver flash of the wolf's fur, and got the sled inside just in time. The inside of the cave was half melted, and icicles acted like carnival mirrors to some of the dogs. But again, the scrawny dog got a nosefull of Balto's tail. Riku's tail in front of his nose stopped the sneeze this time, and they avoided another avalanche for a few minutes. But a small drop of the sled made a loud echoing noise, dropping an icicle from the ceiling onto the sled. It cut the wood barely an inch above the musher's head, leaving even Riku shellshocked at how close they'd come to losing the man. Balto and RIku looked up at the sounds of more ice cracking, and saw many more icicles ready to fall down and impale the team. Balto spurred them on, then looked back in time to see a bottle of medicine fall from the opening crate and break open on the ice, sending the life-saving medicine all pver the ground. He gasped, and tried to turn around. But his paws found no purchase on the ice, and he had to think fast. An icicle had fallen directly in thier path, and he used that to spring off and turn, slamming into the medicine crate to shut it before turning around and skidding back into position. He looked up as more and more icicles fell, starting to block the exit like sharp teeth. He spurred the team on, and they made it out just in time. ------ Back at the ship, I sighed as I looked out across the frozen wastelands. It had been another day, the kids were getting worse, and there was still no sign of them. I could hear Muk and Luk whimpering inside the cabin, and I shook my head as Sora lumbered up. "Anything?" "Nothing. No sign of them. Riku's still alive, but they may not make it back in time." He sighed, ducking his head as Kairi landed on his shoulder. We all looked at the snow, then all jolted up as a loud howl rang through the air. Inside the cabin, Boris jumped at the familiar sound. "Balto." Another howl sounded, and the goose jumped out of his skin in joy. "Balto's Back!" We all jumped up, running towards the lantern light attached to the sled. Kairi immediately leapt from Sora's back, flying fast towards the team. She swung back around and flew low between Sora and I. "It's them! They've got the medicine!" Sora and I shared a relieved look, before we continued running as Balto lead the team into town, stopping right at the clinic doors. The doctor ran out and collected the injured musher and the medicine, while I ran right up to Riku. I swear we acted like puppies then and there, nuzzling one another fiercely as Muk, Luk, and Boris had thier own overjoyed reunion with Balto. "Not a dog! Not a wolf! You're a hero!" Balto squeezed out of Boris's tight hug, shaking himself off before Rosy's father patted him on the head. "There's someone who wants to see you, boy." Boris ushered Balto on, and we made our exit. Before we could leave, though, Steele stumbled past us into an alleyway. I shared a look with Riku, and we kept our gaurd up as we entered the all. Steele was convulsing inside it, eyes flashing between his normal yellow, Heartless Amber, and Feral red. He snarled up at us, foaming at the mouth. "Aizen'll make sure you get yours! You'll see! You won't get away with this!" He suddenly choked, blood and saliva coming out of his mouth as his body just faded away. I shook my head, and we left the alleyway in time to meet Balto at the edge of town. He frowned. "You're leaving?" Sora nodded. "Yeah, we've been here a little too long." The wolf-dog looked down, then nodded as he smiled. "I really can't thank you enough, for everything. If you're ever in the area again, drop by." We nodded, and he ran back into town to be with Jenna. Riku and I shared a look, before we all made the trek back to Infinity. But during the entire way, I couldn't shake the feeling we were being watched. ------ "My Lord. Steele has perished." "I know. Frollo, be prepared. They are headed towards you now. Kill them and bring me thier heads." "Yes, my liege." ------ Whoo boy...that's a long one. Silver
that was a really good chapter ^-^ I feel bad for Griever though xD poor kitty. It just HAD to be a wolf didn't it xDDD
Oh, yes! Another story! 8D You're doing wonderful. The story is interesting and written well. I thought you were done writing with your KH2 story. But now I know otherwise. I can't wait to see more from you, girlie. Keep up the good work.
Disclaimer: KH is the jointly owned property of Sqaure/Disney. The Hunchback of Notre Dame was originally the property of Victor Hugo, the version used in this chapter is copyrighted to Disney. Christie/Kia/Infinity/ etc.etc belong to me. No sticky fingers. My apologies for teh long delay. I had some emotional issues to work through, and in truth, I still do. But I write my best when I'm a wreck, so I was able to finish this one well. ------- The day after we got back from Nome, we were all sore in places I hadn't thought existed. Kairi immediately brought up the theory it was from all the movement we'd done, and none of us protested. I think we were all more concerned about Riku. In the battle with Xemnas last year, his left hip had been badly damaged. Aerith and Merlin had done thier best, but it hadn't helped much in the long run. Even a year later, he still had trouble with it in bad weather or after periods of long standstills. And, as we'd had the displeasure of finding out, after a lot of running. As much as I love the man, he gets in a rather foul mood when he's in pain and alone. Just like he was now, practically sulking as I rubbed a salve into the scar. I shook my head, sighing. "You know, this would be easier on all of us if you stopped moping." He looked at me out of the corner of his eye, having to peer through his bangs to do so. "I'm not moping. That stuff just stinks." I rolled my eyes, but nodded. He was right, the herbal salves Aerith made really helped with muscle aches and bone problems, but she had yet to find a way to numb the stench. Something about one of the herbs being a catalyst for a respiratory tract opener, or something. I could never remember half of the stuff Ienzo had taught me as a child. I sighed as I capped the jar, putting it back into the bag I'd brought along from home as Riku pulled his shirt back down, letting his arms hang loose and relaxed as he rolled onto his back. I had to scurry backwards to avoid getting pushed over, but he still managed to pull me down until my head was resting on his chest. I sighed in contentment, the smell of herbs already fading from my senses. "I wanna stay like this forever..." Riku made a sound of agreement, toying with the end of my ponytail. It had grown over the past year, until it fought Riku's hair in a battle for length. Goodness knew we both needed haircuts, badly. A knock at the door made us both groan, and I buried my face in his neck as he sat up slowly. Sora opened the door, looking rather put off. "We're coming up on a world, and Kairi wants to get some air. Would that be alright?" I sighed, nodding as I got up off the bed. I loved this ship, and I knew Riku did too. But Kairi wasn't made to spend time in ships like we were. It just wasn't her style to be cooped up for so long like that. Hearing two sets of footsteps behind me, I walked up towards the cockpit, where the AI of this ship, Infinity, was doing a very good job of keeping Kairi out of the pilot's seat. "Miss Kairi, please! You have no piloting experience!" At least, so I'd thought. Kairi was going just as good a job to get into the seat as Infinity was doing to keep her out of it. Kairi turned as I walked past her, slipping into the seat as Infinity relaxed now that I was in control. I looked over at the world scan that she always did, frowning as I recognized it. This was a world I was familiar with, considering I had seen it many times as a child. I didn't land us anywhere, instead choosing to send a Transporter Beacon into an empty alleyway behind the building I was most familiar with. Kairi practically jumped out of her skin when we arrived, surprised at the loud ringing of church bells. I looked up, shielding my eyes from the sunlight as I peered toward the tallest bell tower, looking for any sign of Qausimodo. I looked back as Riku put a hand on my shoulder. "This world seems pretty big. Maybe we should split up." I frowned, wary about splitting up in a world where I knew things would go so bad. But then I saw the look on his face, barely curbed enthusiasm, and remembered the last time he'd been to a street fair was almost 2 years ago. I sighed, grinning. "Alright, but stay with Sora. We'll meet on the church steps in two hours." He grinned, and we kissed before he and Sora ran off. Kairi and I shared a look that said volumes, before we both broke out into giggles. We really should have been used to this by now. She sighed, wiping a tear of laughter from her eye. "Let's go do some exploring of our own." I nodded, and we left the alleyway in time to stumble right into a man in armor. At least, Kairi stumbled into him. Pheobus jolted, managing to grab her before she hit the ground. "Whoa there, miss! I know it's the Festival of Fools, but you really should be more careful. Lot of unsavory types out this time of year." Kairi blinked, then nodded as I came up behind her, a wry grin on my face. Had she not been pining for Sora, she would have been blushing her face off as Pheobus gave her his trademark grin. We all turned at a sharp whistle, and Pheobus frowned. "Excuse me, ladies." Kairi and I nodded, and I crossed my arms. It would be fun to watch how Pheobus did it this time. He and his horse, Achilles, arrived at the scene in time to watch Esmerelda, a gypsy woman with long black hair, run off into the shadows with a hat full of coins she'd earned by dancing. Unfortunately, the local gaurds didn't seem to think so, and they were giving her a fair amount of trouble. Pheobus got in thier way, knocking them down as the careened into Achilles' broad side. They both fell to the ground, the skinnier gaurd in just the right spot to get sit on by Achilles. I grinned as Pheobus did just that. "Achilles, sit!" For being a horse instead of a dog, he did as he was told rather well. The first gaurd was pinned to the ground, and Pheobus acted very sorry. "Oh dear, I'm sorry! Naughty horse, naughty! He's just impossible! Really, I can't take him anywhere." As the gaurd the horse was sitting on protested and squirmed, his companion drew his dagger. "I'll teach you a lesson, peasant!" Pheobus was two steps ahead of him, and he had his sword on the gaurds chin before the gaurd knew what happened. "You were saying, Lieutenant?" Pheobus grinned as the gaurd realized who he was. "Oh, Captain! At your service, sir!" Pheobus sheathed his sword, and motioned for Achilles to stand up off the squirming gaurd. Pheobus now leaned down to the man. "I know you have a lot on your mind right now, but...the Palace of Justice?" Both gaurds sprang to attention, making a path through the watching people for the Captain of the Gaurd as Kairi, myself, and an old "man" watched on. As Pheobus passed the "man", he saw several coins on the ground. He knelt down to pick them up, cleaned one of them, then plunked them into the old "man"s hat. I grinned to myself, uncrossing my arms as Pheobus now struggled to get Achilles to come alone. "Come on, boy." The horse stood his ground, snorting. Pheobus facepalmed, rolling his eyes. "Achilles! Heel!" Kairi giggled, and I shook my head in amusement as the horse finally got a move on. With the show over, the crowd became one again, and we immediately vanished within it, heading for the festival. ----- Pheobus, meanwhile, was already in the dungeon of the Palace of Justice. Minister Frollo, a tall man in black robes, watched a gaurd whip a prisoner. Frollo suddenly spoke. "Gaurd!" "Sir?" "Ease up. Wait between lashes. Otherwise the old sting will dull him to the new." The gaurd saluted, and returned to his duty as Frollo turned to Pheobus. "Ah, so this is the gallant Captain Pheobus, home from the wars." Pheobus stood up straight as an arrow, in perfect posture. "Reporting for duty, as ordered, sir." Frollo nodded, tapping the tips of his fingers together. "Your service record precedes you, Pheobus. I expect nothing but the best from a war hero of your calibre." Pheobus nodded. "And you shall have it, sir. I guarantee it." Frollo smiled, a tiny little thing that was more creepy than anything. "Yes. You know, but my last captain of the Gaurd was, um, a bit of a disappointment to me." Pheobus suddenly jumped as another whip crack, followed by a loud scream, echoed in the corridor. Frollo, however, didn't seem to care. "Well, no matter. I'm sure you'll whip my men into shape." Pheobus blinked at the words Frollo used, and swallowed hard. "Uh, thank you, sir. It's, uh, a very tremendous honor." Frollow only smiled again, leading Pheobus out of the dungeons and into the fresh air of the balcony. "You come to Paris in her darkest hour, Captain. It will take a firm hand to save the weak-minded from being so easily misled." Pheobus raised a brow. "Misled, sir?" Frollo nodded, and walked to the balcony wall. "Look, Captain. Gypsies." Frollo looked down to the pavillion, where the woman from before was dancing as her male companion played on a reed flute. Frollo seemed to see harm in the tame dance, and clenched his hands. "The gypsies live outside the normal order. Their heathen ways inflame the people's lowest instincts, and they must be stopped." Pheobus frowned. His own commanding officer had warned him Frollo had been going a little bit out of his mind, but he'd never thought it was like this. "I was summoned from the wars to capture fortune tellers and palm readers?" Frollo made no movement to say he'd sensed Pheobus' surprise, and instead only gave the gypsies a last hateful look. He then turned his attention to a few stray ants, scurrying about the tile beneath his hands. "Oh, the real wars, Captain, are what you see before you. Fore the past twenty years, I have been taking care of those gypsies. One. By. One." On each of the final three words of his sentence, he smashed an ant with his thumb. He then flipped the tile over, revealing a nest of them just running around. "And yet, for all my successes, they have thrived. I believe they have a safe haven, somewhere within the walls of this very city. A nest, if you will. They call it the Court of Miracles." Frollo scoffed, and Pheobus had to stomp down on the instinct to draw his sword and defend himself. "What are we going to do about it, sir?" Pheobus could only watch in alarm as Frollo drew back the tile, and slammed it back on the balcony. Whatever ants hadn't escaped were crushed instantly, and Pheobus swallowed. "You make your point quite vividly, sir." Frollo smiled the tiniest bit, but did not move as he withdrew several sheets of parchment from the sleeve of his robe. "Yes, but that is for later. As foul as they are, the gypsies are of a lesser threat to this city now. I've been informed that several wanted killers have entered Paris, and I want them captured before the day's end. Do not be fooled by thier appearences, Captain. They have murdered many innocent people, and must be punished." Pheobus took the papers from Frollo, and was hardpressed not to drop them. Two of the papers depicted the girls he'd met in the alleyway, while the other two held pictures of two boys, probably only a little younger than 20 years old. One had brown hair that seemed to defy the laws of gravity, while the other had long silver colored hair. Pheobus folded the papers in his hands, and nodded towards Frollo. It was against his own nature to kill children, and he wouldn't do it without the whole story. It was a festival today, he could probably find the kids in there somewhere. Frollo didn't seem to sense anything was wrong with Pheobus' train of thought, and turned to leave. He was stopped by the sound of the loudly cheering crowd below, and he sighed. "Oh, duty calls." He turned to Pheobus. "Have you ever attended a peasent festival, Captain?" Pheobus shook his head. "Not recently, sir." "Then this should be very educational for you. Come along." ----------------- Meanwhile, down in the streets, Kairi and I had reconnected with the boys on the steps of Notre Dame to avoid getting trampled. The Festival of Fools was well underway, and the crowds were alive with excitement. It was enough to get a person stepped on if they weren't careful! Besides, we had a good enough view from the safety of the church. Riku sat beside me as the crowd began singing. After a few minutes of singing, the leader of the festival, the gypsy leader, Clopin, came popping out of the crowds and joined in the song. Against thier better judgement, Sora and Kairi got dragged into the singing crowds, right into a dance. I stood up with Riku, and we both joined in on the happy festivities. We were off in our own little world as the festival continued on, before the singing stopped as Clopin jumped up onto a stage. He took up a solo, introducing Esmerelda in a puff of green smoke. I chuckled at the likeness, before Kairi tapped my shoulder. "Isn't that the woman from the alley? The one who Pheobus saved?" I nodded, then looked over my shoulder as Pheobus rode past us, escorting Frollo's carriage to it's place. I gripped Riku's hand as Frollo walked past us, not noticing a thing out of place as the "ugliest" men in Paris were pulled up on stage. Qausimodo protested as he was pulled, but could do nothing as Esmerelda began to pull off the other men's masks. Each one was tossed into the crowd as they were booed at, before she came to Qausimodo. The crowd immediately gasped as his face wouldn't come off, and they rippled in disgust and alarm, making various murmurs of hatred. I sensed Darkness coming from Frollo's direction, but I was more concerned with Qausi. He was curling in on himself, before Clopin jumped in front of him. "Ladies and gentlemen, don't panic! We asked for the ugliest face in Paris, and here he is! Quasimodo, the bell ringer of Notre Dame!" The crowd lit up with cheers as Quasi was crowned the King of Fools. The crowd began to carry him around on thier shoulders, and we scurried out of the way. At least, Kairi, Riku, and I did. Sora was too busy having fun and trying not to get squished. They returned him to the stage, and before anyone could react, a tomato hit Quasi in the face. Everything went still, before the masses also began throwing produce at Qausi. I had to grab Kairi as Riku literally plucked Sora from a fight when the crowds went nuts, shouting and tying Qausi to the platform, throwing more rotten produce at him. He screamed out for help, and this was the final straw. Kairi broke out of my hold and went up the platform. The crowd went silent, and Frollo stood up in his chair. "You! Girl! Get down from there this instant!" Kairi turned to face him, unafraid. "Yes, sir. As soon as I free him." Frollo snarled, and Esmerelda stepped up on the platform. She handed Kairi a knife, then turned to face Frollo as Kairi worked Quasi free. "You mistreat this poor boy the same way you mistreat my people! You speak of justice, yet are cruel to those who need your help the most!" Frollo snarled, and the Darkness wreathing him began to reek. "Silence!" Kairi stood next to Esmerelda, eyes angrier than I'd ever seen before. "JUSTICE!" Frollo glared at them both, threatening them as Sora, Riku, and I made our way through the crowds towards the platform. Esmerelda and Kairi both glared at Frollo, and Esmerelda grabbed the vegetable covered "Fool's Crown" from the platform. "It appears we've crowned the wrong fool. The only fool I see, is you!" She tossed it until it laid at Frollo's feet, and he snapped. The sky went dark as the Guards began appearing, and the crowd scattered. Riku and I whirled around, sensing Darkness and Heartless but unable to see them. Sora helped Kairi down from the platform just as it began to rain. But instead of water, it was a dark, oily substance I'd only seen in Dark Storms. It made Shadow's appear close to Frollo, and I swear he looked right at us. I had to shove down my panic. "Get into the church! Go!" We took off running, ducking away from a gaurd and from Heartless, throwing the doors open and bolting inside. We could hear the Gaurds chasing after Esmerelda, before we skittered away from the door as Quasi came inside, dripping wet. He looked at all of us, then bowed his head as he passed Kairi. "Thank you." He headed up the stairs to his bell tower, leaving the four of us alone in an empty church. ---- Not long after, the church doors opened again, letting in Esmerelda. She let down her cloak as Djali, her goat, jumped from her back and started sniffing around. She looked around the massive room, emerald colored eyes wide in awe. She suddenly turned, and I put my hands up as she thrust a lit candlestick at me. She blinked, then relaxed a bit. "I'm sorry. I thought you were a soldier." I puffed out my cheeks, but said nothing as she suddenly let the candlestick loose again, forcing me to duck aside as she forced Pheobus' chin up with the unlit end of the candlestick. He looked down at her, hands above his head in a peaceful posture. "Easy, easy. I just shaved this morning." Esmerelda raised a brow. "Really? Well, you missed a spot." She forced his chin up higher, and he gulped. "All right, all right. Just calm down. Give me a chance to apologize." She blinked, and in the minute she was off guard, Pheobus had drawn his sword and forced the candlestick away from his chin. "Apologize for that, for instance." She snarled. "You sneaky son of a.." He cut her off, grinning a little. "Ah ah ah! Watch it, you're in a church." She snorted. "Are you always this charming? Or did I just get lucky?!" She swung her candlestick at him, and he blocked with his sword. This continued on for a minute, before Pheobus had to open his mouth. "Candlelight, privacy, music! Can't think of a better place for hand to hand combat! ANd you fight almost as well as a man!" I blinked at the obvious sexist comment, but Esmerelda took it in stride. "Funny. I was about to say the same thing about you." Pheobus chuckled. "That's hitting a little below the belt, don't you think?" "No, this is!" She swung her candlestick at the spot between his legs, and Pheobus immediately blocked. He was knocked silly as she smacked him with the lower end of her candlestick, and he shook his head. "Touche!" He backstepped as Djali headbutted him in the chest, leaving him winded. "I didn't know you had a kid." Esmerelda smiled wryly, lowering her candlestick as Pheobus sheathed his sword. "Well, he doesn't take kindly to strangers." Pheobus' nose twitched in amusement, and I looked over my shoulder as Kairi came up on silent feet, head tilted as we continued to watch in near silence. "Eh, I noticed. Permit, I'm Pheobus. It means "sun god". And you are?" Esmerelda crossed her arms. "Is this an interrogation?" "It's called an introduction." "You're not arresting me?" Pheobus shook his head. "Not as long as you're in here. I can't." Esmerelda gave him a curious look, uncrossing her arms as her defenses started to fall. "You're not at all like the other soldiers. If you're not going to arrest me, what do you want?" Pheobus smiled gently. "I'd settle for your name, Miss." "Esmerelda." "Beautiful. Much better than Pheobus, anyway." They stared at one another, and as Esmerelda raised a hand to touch Pheobus, the church doors swung open, letting in Frollo and a squad of Gaurds. "Good work, Captain! Now, arrest them!" Pheobus kept his back to Frollo, but the look he gave Kairi and I said enough. We turned to leave the area, but ended up getting caught by a pair of gaurds. Pheobus cursed, and turned back to Esmerelda, speaking in a whisper. "Claim sanctuary." She narrowed her eyes, pissed. "Say it!" She hissed at him, and Frollo tapped his fingers together. "I'm waiting, Captain." Pheobus sighed, turning his back to Esmerelda. "I'm sorry, sir. She and these two girls claimed sanctuary the moment they saw me. There's nothing I can do." Frollo's eyes narrowed as the gaurds dropped us, and he hissed at Pheobus. "Then drag them outside and..." He was cut off by the arrival of the Archdeacon. "Frollo! You will not touch them." He beckoned us closer, and put a hand on Esmerelda's shoulder. "Don't worry, my children. Minister Frollo learned years ago, to respect the sanctity of the church." He turned to usher the gaurds out, but I saw Frollo hiding behind a pillar. Even so, I wasn't able to react before he'd grabbed Kairi by the arm, putting a hand over her mouth to keep her from shrieking. I stepped forward to try and help her, but she gave me a look that made me hold still. Esmerelda, however, had no such qaulms. She grabbed her candlestick from before and swung it at Frollo's feet. He was forced to let go of Kairi in order to dodge the blow, and she ran to stand behind me, rubbing her wrist as Frollo glared at Esmerelda. "You gypsies think you've outwitted me, but I am a patient man. Gypsies don't do well inside stone walls." He stood upright now, walking past us. "No matter. You and those two boys have chosen a magnificent prison, but it is a prison nonetheless. Set one foot outside, and you're mine!" He left, slamming the door shut behind him. Esmerelda sprinted for another door, only to slam it shut and sink to the ground as she saw the gaurds outside. Djali walked over to her, and she rubbed his ears. "One thing, Djali. If Frollo think's he can keep us here, he's wrong." I shook my head, sighing. "I wouldn't be acting so rashly if I were you. You and Kairi made quite the stir earlier, and it wouldn't be very smart to get Frollo any madder then he already is." She huffed, looking up at me with hard eyes. "You saw what he did out there, letting the crowd torture that poor boy! I just though, that if more than one person could stand up to him, then...." She sighed, all anger leaving her. "Whad do they have against people who are different, anyway?" The Archdeacon, from where he was lighting several candlesticks, looked over at the three of us. "You can't right all the wrongs in this world by yourself, dear." She shook her head. "No one out there's going to help, that's for sure." The Archdeacon only smiled. "Then perhaps...there's someone in here who can." He gave Kairi and I a knowing smile, then walked away after motioning to the inside of the church. Esmerelda stood up, heading deeper inside as Kairi returned to the pew where the boys had settled. I sighed, looking up at the statue of Jesus above the alter. "I don't believe in you, but...help those who do, alright? You made us all outcasts, and I don't care if you keep me out of whatever's after this life. Just don't forget those who still believe in you." I closed my eyes, walking away from the altar. I'd played my part, I'd done my best. I didn't care what happened to me, so long as the ones I loved would be safe. That's all I wanted in life. Nothing else really mattered to me. ------- Kairi, meanwhile, had returned to the pew where the boys were. But after a moment, she stood up and walked away again, restless. This place was making her nervous, like her entire body was on edge. Maybe it was just Frollo, but she didn't know. "You! Bell ringer! What are you doing down here!?" Kairi whirled around, catching a candlestick Qauismodo knocked it over. He looked like a startled animal as one of the monks shouted at him. "Haven't you caused enough trouble already!?" Qausi took off running for a staircase, and both Kairi and Esmerelda ran after him. The older woman shouted after him. "Wait! I just want to talk to you!" The girls and Djali continued to follow after him, breaking the top of the staircase a few seconds after Qausi. As Kairi caught her breath, Esmerelda walked closer. "There you are. I was afraid I'd lost you." He backed away, nervous. "Yes. Um, well, I uh, I have chores to do. It was, uh, nice seeing you both again." He ran off again, and Esmerelda shook her head. "No, wait!" She and Kairi gave chase, Esmerelda calling out as they ran. "I'm really sorry about this afternoon. I had no idea who you were, I mean, if I'd had any idea I never in my life would have pulled you up on...stage." Both girls slowed down as they reached the room Qausi obviously lived in, if the glass mobile and wooden model of the city was anything to go by. Kairi looked around with wide eyes. "What is the place? It's amazing.." "This is where I live." Kairi looked at the shy man in surprise. "You mean, you made all of this?" Qausimodo nodded, shrugging his shoulders a little. "Most of them." Esmerelda walked forward, gently fingering the mobile. "This is beautiful. If I could do this, you wouldn't find me dancing on the street for coins." Qausi's eyes widened. "But you're a wonderful dancer!" Esmerelda shrugged as she straightened out. "Well, it keeps bread on the table." She turned to the table, where Kairi was examining the figurines with her hands behind her back. Esmerelda tilted her head, reaching for one figure. "What's this?" Qausimodo's eyes widened. "Oh no, please, I'm not finished, I still have to paint them!" Esmerelda didn't seem to hear him, and she picked up one of the figures. "The blacksmith, and the baker." She gently set the figurine down and smiled at Qausi. "You're a surprising person, Qausimodo. Not to mention lucky. This entire room, all to yourself." Kairi smiled as Qausi's face lit up from Esmerelda's praise, and he came out of the shadows. "Well, it's not just me. There's the gargoyles, and of course the bells. Would you like to see them?" Esmerelda nodded with a smile. "Of course we would. Wouldn't we, Djali?" The goat bayed loudly, bolting past Kairi as he followed after Esmerelda into the bell tower. Kairi slowly followed after, careful to keep her distance to try and give them some privacy. She could already tell Qausi had a crush on Esmerelda, and she didn't want to get in the way. She could just hear Qausi over the wood creaking, anyway. "That's Little Sophia, and Jean Marie, Ann Marie, and Louise Marie. Triplets, you know." "Who's this?" "Big Marie." Kairi jumped as Esmerelda's shouted "Hello!" echoed richly back at them. "She likes you. Would you like to see more?" Esmerelda must have asked Djali, becuase Kairi certainly didn't think that it was Quasi who burped that loudly. "We'd love to." Qausi walked past Kairi now, with Esmerelda following after him. "Good. I've saved the best view for last!" They headed outside, to a small balcony Kairi hadn't noticed from the streets. The storm had passed, but the soldiers were still gaurding the way out. Esmerelda took a deep breath of the fresh air, a smile on her face. "I bet the king himself doesn't have a view this good. I could stay up here forever." Qausi smiled. "You could, you know." Esmerelda shook her head, looking down at her streets below. "No, I couldn't. Even with sanctuary, I don't have freedom. Gypsies don't do well inside stone walls." She sighed, and Qausi loooked out at the twilit horizon. "But you're not like other gypsies. They're...evil." Esmerelda's face lost it's sadness, replacing it with confusion. "Who in the world told you that?!" Qausi backed away a little, withdrawing again. "My master, Frollo. He raised me." Esmerelda shook her head in disbelief. "How could such a cruel man have raised such a kind person like you?" "Cruel!? Oh, no. He saved my life when no one else would take me in. I am a monster, you know." Esmerelda frowned, gently taking Quasimodo's hand. "Let me see your hand. Just let me see." She used her fingers to trace the lines in his palm, a gentle look on her face. "Hmm...a long life line, oh, and this one means you're very shy. Hmm. Hmm...well, that's funny." Qausi looked up at her, eyes wide with curiousity. "What?" "I don't see any..." "Any what?!" "Monster lines. Not a single one to be found here. Now, you look at mine. Do you think I'm evil?" Quasi shook his head violently. "No, no, no! You're kind, and good, and" "A gypsy. And maybe Frollo's wrong, about both of us." Qausi sat there for a moment, then looked over at the rooftops. "You helped me. Now, I will help you." Esmerelda stood up. "But there's no way out. There's soldiers at every door!" Quasi smiled. "We won't use a door." He motioned to the rooftops that would allow them to get over the balcony, and Esmerelda swallowed hard. "You mean...climb down?" Quasi nodded, standing on the balcony edge. "Sure. You carry him, I carry you." As Esmerelda grabbed Djali, Quasi turned to Kairi. "You get your friends and meet me up here. I'll get you down as well." Kairi nodded, and turned to go get the others as Esmerelda looped her arms around Qausi's neck when he jumped. Kairi smiled to herself as she headed downstairs, and she clamped down on a shriek as Sora grabbed her in a hug. ---- I crossed my arms and sighed as Sora clung to Kairi. We'd been searching for her for a while now, and Sora was panicking like no ones business. Riku huffed. "Honestly. We need to put a tracker on her." I looked at him, then hid my giggles behind my hand as I nodded. It would certainly help if she ever got dragged into the Darkness again. After a moment I was sure she enjoyed, Kairi pushed away from Sora. "We have a way out of here. The bellringer's going to get us down if we meet him on the balcony. Come on!" She grabbed Sora's hand and started to pull him up the stairs, while Riku and I followed just a bit slower. We reached the Bell Tower a while before Qausi showed up again, and Kairi spent that time giving us a small tour, and introducing us to the bells. Sora had a fun time with Big Marie's echos, before Riku clamped a hand over his mouth. "Shh! I heard something." I ducked out from under the bell, lightly stepping through the shadows until I could see Pheobus waiting at the balcony as Qausi swung back on. "Hi there. I'm looking for the Gypsy woman, Esmerelda. Have you seen her?" The second the shock on Qausi's face faded, it was replaced by anger. He immediately swung at Pheobus, making the captain back away. "Whoa, whoa! Easy!" "No soldiers! Sanctuary! Get out!" Pheobus backed away, ducking from Qausi's swings. "Wait! All I wanted was to.." "Go!" "I mean her no harm!" "GO!" Qausi grabbed an unlit torch and begn to swing it at Pheobus, who continued to back away until he reached the stairs. Pheobus drew his sword here and pinned the torch to the wall, but he coughed as Qausi dropped the torch and grabbed him by the chest. "You tell her, and those kids, from me, I didn't mean to trap them here. But it was the only way to save thier lives. Will you tell her that?" Qausi didn't respond. "Will you?" "If you go. Now!" "Alright, alright. I'll go. Now, will you put me down, please?" I snickered as I realized that Qausi had been holding Pheobus several feet off the ground. He glared as he set the captain down, and then turned to leave before Pheobus' words stopped him again. "Oh, and one more thing. Tell Esmerelda she's very lucky." "Why?" "To have a friend like you." Quasi stared as Pheobus headed downstairs, then shook his head as Riku, Sora, and Kairi came up behind me. He turned to Kairi. "I'm sorry, I can't take you and your friends down right now. The gaurds are on alert, and taking you out would only get us all in trouble." Kairi nodded in understanding, "gently" stomping on Sora's toes to keep him from protesting. Qausi smiled a little, then pointed to an alcove. "You four can sleep there for tonight, I'll take you down in the morning." We nodded, as Qausi pawed through a chest to get us some blankets. Knowing Riku's leg was acting up, I took his for him and gave him a knowing look when he tried to protest. He sighed, but said nothing as he sat down on the floor, removing his shoes as I handed him a blanket before sitting down next to him. Kairi leaned against Sora, both of thier blankets draped over thier shoulders like capes as they dozed. Riku and I shared a look, before he started sagging as Qausi rang the evening bells. I pulled his head down onto my shoulder, humming along with the bells as night fell over Paris. We'd leave in the morning, bur for now, it was time to try and get some rest. ----- "Please, Master. Grant me a little more time! I know where the children are hiding, but I cannot do anything until they leave the sanctity of Notre Dame!" "Frollo, you are testing my patience. Do not fail me as Steele did, or you shall meet an even more painful end. Am I clear?" "Yes, Master. Their dead bodies shall be delivered to you no later than this time tomorrow. I swear it." "Good." ------ I jolted awake as Kairi's screams broke the early morning silence, and Sora fell away from her in surprise, before pulling her to him as Qausi bolted to the alcove, eyes wide. "What happened?!" I shook my head, my own eyes wide as adreniline pumped through my system. Riku wasn't any better, eyes starting to turn catslit, the way they always did when he got scared nowadays. Kairi, however, was the worst of us. She was sobbing, clutching at Sora like he was the only lifeline she had in a sea of Darkness. And judging by the way the wind was starting to stink, that idea wasn't that far off. I patted Riku on the shoulder as I stood up, frowning as I walked to the balcony. Down below, Frollo's entourage was in the city streets. I couldn't even hope to make out what they were saying from so high above them, but the look on Frollo's face wasn't boding well. It was a mix of desperation and despair, along with anger and something I couldn't read. I looked back over at my friends as Kairi's sobs eased with the tolling of the morning bells, then back at the streets as the soldiers walked away with Frollo in his carriage. I sighed, then walked back to the alcove to find Kairi still clinging to Sora, but in much better shape then earlier. I sat down, and she looked over at me. "That Frollo man, he's taking orders from someone who wants us all dead." I shook my head, rubbing my arm lightly to try and ward off the chill that wasn't being brought on by the morning wind. "I'm not at all surprised. For anyone to get to Sora, they'd have to go through us. Eliminate us, eliminate the problem." Kairi bit her lip before burying her face in Sora's shoulder. He rubbed her back and gave me a look that said enough. I sighed, shrugging in apology as Qausi came back over. "Let's get you down." ---- The gaurds had thankfully been all exhausted from 24 hour watch, so getting past them wasn't the hard part. Getting down was. Who knew Sora's voice could do such a high pitch? I was still rubbing my ears as we blended in with a crowd of workers heading for the mill outside of town. Sora had apologized up and down for that, and we'd already said it was fine, but he still didn't look okay about it. Riku sighed and looked over at him. "Really, Sora, it's fine. Being scared of heights isn't that big of a deal." Sora nodded, but still didn't look sure of himself. I rolled my eyes and shook my head, choosing to forgoe my ponytail for now, instead leaving my hair down and ending up getting most of it in my eyes as we reached the mill. Riku stopped suddenly, stopping me and grabbing Sora by the back of his vest. Sora in turn yanked Kairi back, and she protested until we all say Frollo standing outside the millhouse, obviously talking to the owners about Esmerelda while several gaurds held gypsies by the ropes tying thier wrists together. Frollo held up a small dreamcatcher, the feathers crumpled and broken. "We found this gypsy talisman on your property. Have you been harbouring gypsies?" The miller, on his knees, shook his head. "Our home is always open to the weary traveler. Have mercy, my lord." I couldn't see Frollo's face over the crowd offering us shelter, but his tone wasn't good. "I am placing you and your family under house arrest until I get to the bottom of this. If what you are saying is true, you are innocnet and you have nothing to fear." The Miller proestested. "But we are innocent, I assure you! We know nothing of these gypsies!" Frollo didn't answer, just pulled the door shut and barred it with a gaurds sword. He then turned to Pheobus. "Burn it." "What?!" Frollo crossed his arms in his robes. "Until it is nothing but smoldering ashes. These people are traitors and must be made examples of." Frollo handed Pheobus a torch, and the captain frowned. "With all due respect, sir, I was not trained to murder the innocent." Frollo glared. "But you were trained to follow orders, Captain." Pheobus looked away, then shook his head and tossed the torch into the nearby river, before giving Frollo a look that said everything. Frollo snarled. "Insolent coward." Frollo yanked another torch from a gaurd, and raised it to the windmill. The cloth and wood caught fire quickly, and started to burn the house. Screams sounded from inside, and Pheobus jumped in through the window. After a second, he kicked the door down and came out, a baby in hand. He gently handed her off to her mother, and the family slipped into the crowd as Pheobus was grabbed by the gaurds. "The sentence for insubordination is death. Such a pity. You threw away a promising career." Pheobus spat on Frollo's boot. "Consider it my highest honor, sir." Frollo raised a spear to kill Pheobus, and Kairi snapped. Before any of us could grab her, she'd burst from the crowd and gotten Frollo's attention by throwing a rock at him. His eyes went wide as he saw her, and I didn't like what I was seeing in there. I lunged forward, pulling Kairi back as Frollo sent gaurds after us. Kairi's distraction gave Pheobus the needed time to knock Frollo from his horse and hop on, running for it. Unfortunately, it also ended with gaurds chasing after us until we'd made it back towards the city. The guards, with all thier armor, winded easier than we did with only magics and charms to protect us. Unfortunately, it seemed Frollo had recovered his horse and joined the chase soon after. I pushed Riku towards Kairi and grabbed Sora, knowing the run wouldn't be helping. "Meet at the alley, go!" Kairi nodded, grabbing Riku by the hand and tugging until he started to run after her again. Sora and I took the longer way around, but since neither of us knew our way around the city, we ending up running right into a dead end. Backs to the wall, we turned in time to see Frollo riding up into the alley way, several NeoShadow's and Invisibles following him. "By order of the 5th General, you and your companions are sentenced to death at Dawn tomorrow. It will be the last sunrise you'll ever see, keybearer." I got in front of Sora, arms outstretched to protect him in case Frollo tried anything that went against his so called "order". I wasn't surprised as the gaurds came into the alleyway and chained us together. What I was surprised at was the fact they didn't seem to mind the Heartless, who hissed at Sora and I as we were dragged past them. Sora kept his eyes downcast as we were walked to the Palace of Justice, and tossed into two seperate cells directly across from one another, with a gaurd in front of Sora's cell. The only comfort we had was that Kairi and Riku weren't here, which meant to me that hadn't been caught. I leaned against the wall of my cell, legs crossed and arms loose at my sides as Sora paced in his, worried sick. There was nothing we could do, and he hated that. ----- Meanwhile, Kairi and Riku had been having better luck dodging gaurds. Both of them now sat in the alleyway, winded and breathing hard from the run. Kairi rubbed her eyes, sides heaving as she looked up at the smoke filled sky. Heartless and Frollo's gaurds were burning the city to the ground to find Esmerelda, and she couldn't let that happen. She stood up to leave the alleyway to go and find Sora and Christie, but Riku grabbed her by the hand and held on. She looked back at him, and he shook his head. "There's nothing we can do for this city. Christie said to wait here, and we'll wait here." He looked down at the ground, sighing. "At least, for a little while." Kairi nodded, sitting back down. She turned her head to look up at the church, wondering if Leviathan and Bahamut could see them and offer protection here, or if this world's God was watching over them now. She hoped someone was, because they needed help, badly. Wait... "Qausimodo!" Riku jumped at Kairi's voice, but then it dawned on him. He'd know where Frollo kept prisoners, and if Chris and Sora had been caught, they were probably being held somewhere. "How do we get in?" Kairi simply smiled. "The side door, of course." She turned and pointed to where Esmerelda and another man were dragging Pheobus into the church. Riku got up quickly, grabbing the door before it's weight would slam it closed and draw a gaurd or two towards them. Esmerelda first looked at him in shock, before she nodded her thanks when she saw Kairi. She and her companion managed to get Pheobus up the stairs into Qausi's room without drawing much attention, and Esmerelda called out for him. "Qausi! Qausimodo?!" Qausi came barreling down from the upper level and ran to Esmerelda. "Esmerelda! You're alright! I knew you'd come back!" Esmerelda smiled gently at him, putting her hands on his shoulders. "You've done so much for me already, my friend. But I must ask your help one more time." Qausi nodded, eyes bright. "Yes, anything!" Esmerelda turned over to where Riku and Kairi were helping her gypsy companion carry Pheobus inside. "This is Pheobus. He's wounded, and a fugituve like me. He can't go on much longer like this, and I knew he'd be safe here. Please, can you help him?" Qausi looked over at the wounded Soldier, then nodded and turned. "This way." Carefully, they somehow managed to get Pheobus set up on Qausi's bed. As Esmerelda sat down beside him to try and stitch him up, Pheobus came too. "Esmerelda?" She put a finger on his lips. "Shh. You'll hide here until you're strong enough to move on your own." She reached into the pouch at her hip, pulling out a leather flask. Pheobus smirked. "Great, I could use a drink." His snarky joke was cut short as he cried out in pain from the alcohol Esmerelda was using to clean his wound. He mumbled something only Esmerelda could hear, and she looked up at him as she started to stitch him together with thread and a needle. "That family owes you thier lives. You're either the single bravest soldier I've ever seen, or the craziest." Pheobus rolled his eyes, hands twitching. "Ex-soldier, remember? And why is it, that whenever we meet, I always end up bleeding?" Esmerelda shook her head. "You're lucky, you know. That arrow almost pierced your heart." Pheobus smiled gently at her, looking into her eyes. "I'm not so sure it didn't." They inched closer, then kissed. Kairi smiled and lightly clapped her hands together as Riku made a face, but Qausi wasn't taking it all to well. He sadly turned away from the couple, until Djali started to make a racket at the window. Qausi rushed to the window, gasping as he saw Frollo enter the church. He turned to Esmerelda. "Frollo's coming, you must leave. Quick, follow me!" Esmerelda and her gypsy companion rushed after him, rushing after Qausi as he swung a door open. "Go down the south tower steps." The male gypsy and Djali ran out the door, but Esmerelda stayed behind a moment longer. "Be careful, my friend. Promise me you won't let anything happen to him." Qausi nodded, and Esmerelda hugged him around the neck. "Thank you." She bolted down the stairs, shutting the door behind her as Riku was already starting to drag Pheobus under the table with Qausi's models. Kairi quickly cleared the table, then set a cloth over it to hide Pheobus' unconcious form, before Riku grabbed her by the arm and dragged her into the alcove they'd slept in. Qausi tossed the blankets they'd used over them, and Riku pulled them over thier heads just as Frollo entered the room. From here, they could overhear everything Qausi and Frollo were saying. "Oh, Master! I didn't you'd be coming today." "Nonsense, dear boy. I'm never too busy to share a meal with you. I brought a little treat." He cleared his throat, and Kairi could hear Qausi scrambling to set the table. She swallowed hard, clutching Riku's arm. He put a hand over hers, offering a smile she could barely see in the dim light the blankets were letting through. He looked away as there was a crash at the table, and Frollo spoke. "Is there something troubling you, Qausimodo?" "No. No!" "Oh? But there is. I know there is. I think...you're hiding something." "Oh, no, Master. I'd never." "You're not eating, boy." Qausi's voice became muffled, and the sounds of chewing were obvious. "It's very good, thank you." Kairi flinched and Riku breathed in through his teeth as Pheobus moaned, with Qausi doing so as well to cover Pheobus' sound. It didn't work, and Pheobus sighed before he went silent as Qausi coughed. "Seed." "What's different in here?" "Nothing, sir." "Aren't these ones new? They're awfully well done...they look very much like the gypsies... I know." His voice rose, and Kairi clutched harder at Riku's arm. "You helped them all escape!" "But, I.." "And now all of Paris is burning becuase of you!" "They were kind to me, Master..." Now both Kairi and Riku flinched as Darkness began to swirl in the room, and Riku put and arm around Kairi to shield her from the flow. "You idiot! That wasn't kindess, that was cunning! They're gypsies! Gypsies are not capable of real love! Think, boy! Think of your mother!" He suddenly went silent, and it was as if all the darkness in the room was focusing on Kairi's heart, a beacon of light. Frollo then cleared his throat. "But what chance could a poor misshapen child like you have against thier heathen treachery? Well, never you might, Qausimodo. They'll soon be out of our lives. I will free you from thier evil spell." Even as Qausi spoke in question, Frollo was walking over to the heap of blankets in the corner of the alcove. Without warning, the blankets were pulled back and Frollo's face went livid as he whirled on Qausi. "You fool!" He then turned back to Kairi and Riku, reaching down to grab the teens before Riku leapt up, and in one smooth motion, had thrown himself into Frollo's middle and shoved them both into the wall. Struggling to keep Frollo under control, Riku whirled to face Kairi. "Run!" Kairi didn't hesitate, and scrambled to her feet and ran for the door they'd come in through. She ran past Frollo, who had turned the tables on Riku and was now holding him up against the wall with his eyes flashing a blood red color. She ran past the three stone gargoyles that were staring in shock. She ran past the Archdeacon who was coming in through the side door, and she kept running towards the back alleyway they'd beamed down in. Infinity welcomed her like an old friend, and she collapsed on the floor of the ship. Her fingers scratched at the gummi flooring as tears ran down her face, before she pushed herself onto her knees and pounded on the flooring until her hand was red and her eyes were a matching color. "I'm useless!" "Miss Kairi, you are not useless!" With tears blurring her vision, Kairi looked up at Infinity's moogle hologram. "Yes, I am! I left them to die down there, all because they told me to run!" Infinity didn't have anything to say, and Kairi curled into a ball and cried herself to sleep, one hand wrapped around the pearl on her neck. ----- "Get in there, you cur!" Sora and I both stood up and walked to the bars of our cells as a shoved someone into the corridor. Our eyes went wide as the figure was revealed to be Riku, and I backed away from my cell bars as the gaurd accompanying him forced me away with the blunt end of his spear, opening the door and tossing Riku in. He wasn't able to catch his weight in time, and he skidded across the floor on his bad leg, hair falling over his face as the gaurd slammed the door to our cell shut, sneering at us as I put my hand on Riku's arm. "Not long till sunrise now, gypsies. You'll be dead soon!" Sora glared at him fiercely, clinging to the bars of his cell as I helped Riku up. One side of his face was scraped up from the ground, but his clothes had kept the rest of him whole. We both nodded at Sora, who sighed in relief and leaned away from the bars of his cell as the gaurd went to it to poke him back. It then dawned on Sora that Kairi wasn't here with Riku. "Where's Kairi?!" Riku shook his head. "I told her to run. I think she headed back for Infinity." Sora swallowed heavily, and retreated to the shadows of his cell as I looked over at Riku. He sighed, and we sagged back to wait for sunrise. I must have either dozed off of zoned out, becuase the next thing I knew, I was having metal shackles slapped onto my wrists and was being dragged from the cell. Riku was none to gently tugged to his feet, and both he and Sora suffered the same treatment as we were marched into the dawn sunlight. I looked away from the light, down into the courtyard below. I didn't like what I was seeing, but there was no time to dwell on it. We'd soon been marched down to the sqaure and shoved onto three seperate platforms, metal shackles exchanged for rough ropes and unlit pyres. We could only watch as Esmerelda stood with her hands tied around another wooden pole while Frollo stood in front of her, acting as Judge, Jury, and Executioner. "The prisoner Esmerelda, and these foul heathens, have been found guilty of the crimes of witchcraft and murder. The sentence? Death!" Cheers rang out from the crowd of citizens, and Sora glared at some of them, before looking up at Notre Dame. From where I was tied, I could barely hear Frollo speak to Esmerelda. "The time has come, gypsy. You stand upon the brink of the abyss. Yet, even now, it is not too late. I can save you from the flames of this world, and the next. Choose me, or the fire." After a moment of disgust passed through her face, Esmerelda spat on Frollo. He flinched back, and then turned to face the three of us. Sora and Riku glared at him, while I met his lustful gaze with fire in my eyes. He snorted. "Aizen wanted the four of you dead anyway. I'll find your friend, and I'll kill her myself." He turned to face the crowd. "The gypsies have refused to recant! These evil witches have put the soulds of every citizen in Paris in mortal danger..." I closed my eyes. Never in my entire life had I feared fire, or death. But to die in a place like this? It just didn't sit right with me. ----- Kairi, meanwhile, had gathered up what little courage she could muster and returned to the city. Getting back into Notre Dame through the side door was simple, and she ran up the stairs towards Qausi's room. She gasped as she saw him hangling limply in chains, and she reached out to him, putting a hand gently on his back. "Qausi?" "Leave me alone." She blinked, then frowned and walked to the ledge. Her eyes went wide at the sight below, and she turned to Qausimodo. "So you're just giving up? You're just going to let Esmerelda and Pheobus die like that!? So what if this place is a stone prison!? You're made of something stronger than that!" Qausi looked away, closing his eyes. Kairi sighed, and looked down at Sora before walking past the chained bellringer. "At least, I thought you were." She ran back down the stairs, but was stopped as the Archdeacon put his hand on her shoulder. "There's nothing you can do for them, my dear. It's in Gods hands now." Kairi looked out the main door, to where she could just see Frollo lighting the pyres under Sora and Riku's feet. Riku looked resigned to his fate, but Sora was struggling against the fire, trying to summon the Keyblade but unable to with Frollo's attention firmly on him. Seeing the panic in his eyes, Kairi ran out of the Archdeacon's hold, and skidded under the gaurds. "STOP IT!!!" Through the smoke, she could barely see Sora's eyes widen as he looked at her, before they closed and his head fell to his chest. Before Kairi could run to him, Christie was at his side and cutting him free, with Riku already running to help her. Qausi was also swinging down to the courtyard, having taken Kairi's words to heart and broken himself free. He rushed to Esmerelda's side, pulling her free and grabbing a torch. He tossed it a gaurd, and his cloth uniform caught on fire. This was all the distraction they needed, and they made a break for the church doors. Sora was unconcious, but Christie and Riku managed to get him inside the doors and up the stairs towards Qausi's room, Kairi right behind him. The slamming of wood on stone told her that the Archdeacon had closed the doors behind them, but her attention was fully on Sora as Christie and Riku lay him down on blankets in the alcove while Qausi laid Esmerelda down on his bed. "Don't worry, you'll be safe here." Kairi was so focused on Sora, that the feeling of Christie's hand on her shoulder spooked her. "Stay here. We have to fight off Frollo." Kairi nodded, and sat beside Sora as he friends ran to fight a battle that was hers as well. After a minute, Kairi sighed. She leaned down, and kissed Sora on the lips. She smiled, leaving her pendent on his chest before she stood and ran after her friends in time to see them toss a large wooden beam over the edge of the balcony. It landed near the gaurds, and send them scurrying like ants. Frollo walked a step after them and shouted something, before Pheobus jumped on top of his cage and began to shout at the townsfolk. There was a rallying cheer, and Christie smiled as she leaned over the edge. "I think the cavalry finally woke up!" Riku and Qausi grinned, and they got to work. Thinking fast, Kairi grabbed a loose stone and tossed it over the ladder. It struck a gaurd right on the head, and he dropped like a stone. Riku and Christie were doing the same thing as Qausi worked on a massive pot further in, heating it up and making whatever was inside glow a bright, hot yellowish-orange. Suddenly a grappling hook landed near where Riku was standing. He leaned over the ledge to see several gaurds climbing up it, and he scowled. He grabbed the hook and gave it a mighty tug. The gaurds hit thier heads on the all, and dropped to the ground. "That was for Sora, you jerks!" "You three! Get back!" All three of them turned, and then ran back into the main room as Qausi tipped the pot of glowing liquid over. It flowed like water, pouring out of the tower and onto the streets below. All four people cheered as they could barely see the gaurds making a run for it, and Kairi ran towards Sora. She landed on her knees and smiled. "Sora! We did it! We got them away from here!" Her face fell when Sora's face didn't even twitch, and her pendent wasn't rising and falling with his breath like it should have been. "Sora?" She put a hand on his chest, but no heart beneath it. There was no sound of air entering or leaving his lungs, and Kairi's eyes filled with tears. She bent over Sora, her arms curling around his back. She didn't hear Frollo come up the stairs, nor did she hear the crash of Riku and Christie getting thrown back into one of the bells. But she saw Frollo's shadow on the wall in front of her, and she felt his evil as he placed his hand on his shoulder. She barely managed to form the words through her sobs. "You killed him." "It was my duty, horrible as it was. I hope you won't think too badly of me for it, Ms. Hikari." Her name was butchered on his tongue, and this made her look up at the shadow on the wall. Her eyes went wide as she saw the shadow of a raised dagger, and she realized something. The entire time Sora, Riku, and Christie had been holding her back in fights wasn't to demean her or to take all the glory, it was to protect her from people like Frollo. Her heart was still light, still untainted. They'd been trying to keep her safe this entire time, and she'd never realized it until now. Now, she had someone of her own to protect. She whirled around and bowled into Frollo. The dagger went flying, ricocheting off of the keyblade in Kairi's hand. The white blade of Oathkeeper glowed in the red light of the burning city, and Frollo tried to stand in his little corner. "Now, now, Miss Hikari, listen to me!" Kairi's eyes were glowing with anger and sadness as she shook her head. "No, you listen! All my life, I've been protected from the Darkness of the world! But now I see why my friends have risked everything to protect me! It's time I return the favor, Frollo! I'm going to hurt you for what you've done to Sora and Esmerelda!" Oathkeeper swung down, but only hit empty air. Kairi furrowed her brows as Frollo reappeared on the balcony, a sword in his hand and his eyes glowing a bright red. Kairi took a deep breath in, and walked forward to face her first true opponent. Her friends lives were in her hands, and she would do everything she could to protect them. It was as if her body had been taken over by Sora's spirit, becuase she parried every strike, and got more blows in then she could have ever hoped for. Of course, Frollo got a few blows of his own in, and blood made the slow trek down Kairi's arms from the long, shallow cuts on her upper arms and legs. When this was over, she was investing in a good sturdy pair of pants if it killed her! After a hefty strike, Frollo lost his balance and tumbled to the ground. Kairi raised Oathkeeper over her head to deliver the killing blow, but found she just couldn't do it. She closed her eyes and lowered Oathkeeper. It vanished, and was replaced with her brightly painted staff as she turned to go and help Esmerelda. "Kairi! Watch out!" Qausi's voice made her turn, just as Frollo pulled them both over the edge. Kairi managed to grab onto the ledge, and Frollo clung to a gargoyle he'd managed to grab onto. He pulled himself onto it, black energy gathering in his hands, ready to strike the defenseless girl. "And He shall smite the wicked and plunge them into the firey pits of Hell!" The black energy was now beginning to spin with red and yellow, and Kairi closed her eyes to think of Sora's face as her last thought. Frollo suddenly screamed, and Kairi risked looking at him in time to see him slip off the gargoyle. He clung to it, before it roared in his face. Now he screamed loud enough to make the stone crack, and it broke.He was sent falling to his death towards the city below, and Kairi began to feel her grip failing her as well. She closed her eyes, and prepared for the fall. Just as her hands slipped, they were captured in a pair of warm ones. She looked up, and tears flooded her eyes as Sora, now very much alive, pulled her back into the cathedral. They tumbled to the ground from the momentum he was using, and he lay there with an arm around her shoulders as she clung to his chest. He sat up slowly, smiling at her. "Sorry I took so long." Kairi shook her head, at a loss for words. Before Sora could say anything else, Kairi had pulled him to her and locked her lips with his. His eyes went wide for a second, before he threaded his fingers in her hair and deepened the kiss. After a minute, they both had to surface for air. Sora smiled gently as he helped her stand, and Riku and Christie shared a knowing look from where they stood near the bells. They all walked to the balcony and leaned on the edge, Sora putting his hand in Kairi's as Riku slung an arm over his "little brother"s shoulder. Christie was held to his other side, and they watched as Qausi was welcomed into the streets of Paris as a hero. The bells started to ring on thier own, and Oathkeeper appeared in Sora's hand. He blinked, then nodded. Kairi, Riku, and Christie stepped back as he held Oathkeeper out, the sound of a click echoeing in thier ears as the smell of metal and gunpowder filled the room. The song and dance of unlocking a gate done, they all took one last look over the balcony, before vanishing. Down at street level, Qausi looked up at the balcony in time to see the four of them vanish in beams of white light. "Good luck, Keepers." ----- "Master, Frollo has fallen." The speaker flinched as a loud crash echoed in the stone chamber. "That fool! He said he could handle a few children, and look what's happened!" "Calm yourself, Gin. We'll have them soon enough. Pride." "Yes, Master?" "The Keybearer is headed your way. Make sure he doesn't leave alive. Am I clear?" "Yes, Master." ---- Anyone know where we're going yet?
